피동사 (-이/히/리/기-) – Lexical Passive Verbs

Conjugation & Pattern

• -이-: 보다 -> 보이다 (be seen), 쓰다 -> 쓰이다 (be used/written), 놓다 -> 놓이다 (be placed), 쌓다 -> 쌓이다, 바꾸다 -> 바뀌다
• -히-: 닫다 -> 닫히다 (be closed), 잡다 -> 잡히다 (be caught), 읽다 -> 읽히다, 막다 -> 막히다 (be blocked), 접다 -> 접히다
• -리-: 열다 -> 열리다 (be opened), 듣다 -> 들리다 (be heard), 팔다 -> 팔리다 (be sold), 풀다 -> 풀리다, 걸다 -> 걸리다
• -기-: 안다 -> 안기다 (be hugged), 쫓다 -> 쫓기다 (be chased), 끊다 -> 끊기다 (be cut off), 찢다 -> 찢기다, 빼앗다 -> 빼앗기다

Detailed Usage

Promotes the object of an active verb to the subject position (marked with 이/가) to focus on the receiver of the action or to describe a spontaneous state (e.g., a door opening in the wind, a sound being heard, a mountain being visible).

Example Sentences

1. 1

   도둑이 어젯밤에 경찰한테 잡혔어요.

   Dodugi eojetbame gyeongchalhante japhyeosseoyo.

   The thief was caught by the police last night.

2. 2

   창문이 고장 나서 잘 안 닫혀요.

   Changmuni gojang naseo jal an dathyeoyo.

   The window is broken, so it doesn't close properly.

3. 3

   지폐가 구겨지고 접혀서 ATM기에 안 들어가요.

   Jipyega gugyeojigo jeophyeoseo ATMgie an deureogayo.

   Because the bill is crumpled and folded, it won't go into the ATM.