Passive with -ся
Дом будуецца. (The house is being built.) An imperfective verb with -ся can describe what is done to its subject.
How It Works
Many verbs that take a direct object can add -ся to form a passive (see reflexive verbs for the endings). The thing the action is done to becomes the subject: Рабочыя будуюць дом becomes Дом будуецца (The house is being built).
When it is used.
- Processes and repeated or general actions: Тут прадаюцца квіткі. (Tickets are sold here.)
- Rules and how things are done: Гэта слова пішацца з вялікай літары. (This word is written with a capital letter.)
- Formal and official writing: Праект падтрымліваецца ўрадам. (The project is supported by the government.)
Agreement. The verb agrees with the subject: квіток прадаецца, квіткі прадаюцца.
Only imperfective. A perfective verb with -ся is not passive. For a finished action, use a passive participle, or simply an active sentence: Дом быў пабудаваны летам. Дом пабудавалі летам.
Things, not people. With a person as the subject, -ся usually means the person does it to themselves or to each other (see meanings of -ся): Дзеці мыюцца means the children are washing, not the children are being washed.
A doer can be added in the instrumental, but that sounds official. In everyday speech, an active sentence is more natural: Урад падтрымлівае праект.
Examples (6)
- Дом будуецца.
The house is being built.
Word by Word: House builds-itself.
- Тут прадаюцца квіткі.
Tickets are sold here.
Word by Word: Here sell-themselves tickets.
- Гэта слова пішацца з вялікай літары.
This word is written with a capital letter.
Word by Word: This word writes-itself from capital letter.
- У гэтай школе выкладаецца беларуская мова.
Belarusian is taught at this school.
Word by Word: In this school teaches-itself Belarusian language.
- Такія пытанні не вырашаюцца за адзін дзень.
Questions like these are not settled in one day.
Word by Word: Such questions not solve-themselves in one day.
- Праект падтрымліваецца ўрадам.
The project is supported by the government.
Word by Word: Project supports-itself by-government.
The doer is in the instrumental. This sounds official.
Common Mistakes
Using a perfective -ся verb as a passive.
Кніга прачыталася мной за адзін вечар.Я прачытаў кнігу за адзін вечар.Perfective verbs with -ся do not form a passive. Say it actively, or use a participle: Кніга была прачытана за адзін вечар.
Not matching the verb to a plural subject.
Тут прадаецца квіткі.Тут прадаюцца квіткі.The subject is квіткі, which is plural, so the verb is plural too.
Using -ся passive with a person as the subject.
Дзеці мыюцца мамай.Мама мые дзяцей.With people, мыюцца means they wash themselves. To say who washes them, use an active sentence.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The -ся passive needs -ся meanings and the passive.
Related Patterns
- Reflexive Verbs in -ся/-ццаReflexive Verbs in -ся and -цца
Shows how -ся and -цца attach to the verb.
Level 2 - The Agent in the Instrumental
Adds the doer to a passive sentence in the instrumental.
Level 4 - Imperfective Aspect
Only imperfective verbs form this passive.
Level 2 - Predicates in -на/-таPredicates in -на and -та
Another passive predicate, used for a completed action.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice Passive with -ся in Bubblegum
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