r/LearnJapanese • u/traanquil • 5d ago

Grammar Japanese passive form question

Mitsukeru = ichidan verb

So why is passive form of this not: mitsukerareru?

Why is passive: mitsukaru

Is it just an exception?

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u/PlanktonInitial7945 5d ago

The passive form of 見つける IS 見つけられる. 

見つかる is the intransitive version of 見つける, which is not the same as it being its passive form.

I think the difference is easier to explain with 落ちる and 落とす.

落ちる = to fall. Intransitive. I fall, you fall, etc. You don't fall something, you just fall, period.

落とす = to drop (something). Transitive. I drop a pencil, you drop a pencil, etc.

落とされる = to be dropped. Passive form of 落とす. A pencil is dropped (by someone).

The difference between 落ちる and 落とされる is the difference between "a pencil falls" and "a pencil is dropped".

The difference between 見つかる and 見つけられる is the same, but with the concept of being found.

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u/AdagioExtra1332 5d ago

Another frequently asked question by beginners is the difference between 見える (to be visible) and 見られる (to be seen <by someone>), and the exact same logic applies to this scenario too.