Korean Passive Voice with Modals: Can, Must, Should
Learn to form Korean passive sentences with modal meanings like 'can', 'must', and 'should', using patterns such as -아/어야 하다, -아/어도 되다, and -면 안 되다.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Korean, passive sentences with modal meanings are not formed by adding a modal verb to a passive verb as in English. Instead, Korean uses a combination of passive verb forms and auxiliary constructions to express 'can be', 'must be', and 'should be'. This lesson teaches you how to express necessity, permission, and obligation in passive contexts. You will learn key patterns like -아/어야 하다 (must), -아/어도 되다 (may/can), and -면 안 되다 (must not), and how to combine them with passive verbs such as 쓰이다 (to be written), 만들어지다 (to be made), and 보이다 (to be seen). By the end, you will be able to say sentences like 'The form must be signed' and 'The letter can be sent' in natural Korean.
By the end, you can…
- form passive sentences with modal meanings like 'can', 'must', and 'should' in Korean.
- use -아/어야 하다, -아/어도 되다, and -면 안 되다 with passive verbs.
- distinguish between active and passive modal sentences in Korean.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
이 서류는 서명되어야 합니다.
This document must be signed.
i seo-ryu-neun seo-myeong-doe-eo-ya hap-ni-da
Formal polite style. Use in official or business contexts.
이 편지는 보내도 됩니까?
Can this letter be sent?
i pyeon-ji-neun bo-nae-do doem-ni-kka?
Polite question asking for permission. Use with superiors or in formal situations.
이 문은 열리면 안 됩니다.
This door must not be opened.
i mun-eun yeol-li-myeon an doem-ni-da
Expresses prohibition. Literally 'must not be opened'.
이 책은 쉽게 읽힙니다.
This book is easily read.
i chaek-eun swip-ge il-kim-ni-da
Passive form with adverb 'easily'. Shows how passive can combine with manner adverbs.
이 문제는 풀려야 합니다.
This problem must be solved.
i mun-je-neun pul-lyeo-ya hap-ni-da
Passive verb 풀리다 (to be solved) with -아/어야 하다.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To express modal meanings in passive Korean, combine a passive verb stem with an auxiliary pattern. For 'must be', use passive verb + -아/어야 하다: 이 서류는 서명되어야 합니다 (This document must be signed). For 'can be' or 'may be', use passive verb + -아/어도 되다: 이 편지는 보내도 됩니까? (Can this letter be sent?). For 'must not be', use passive verb + -면 안 되다: 이 문은 열리면 안 됩니다 (This door must not be opened). Note that the passive verb is formed with suffixes like -이-, -히-, -리-, -기- or -되다/-어지다. The modal auxiliary follows the passive verb and carries the tense and politeness.
When to use it
Use these patterns when you need to talk about actions done to someone or something, with a modal nuance. For example, in a workplace, you might say 계약서는 검토되어야 합니다 (The contract must be reviewed). In everyday situations, you might ask 이 사진은 보여도 됩니까? (Can this photo be shown?). Use -아/어야 하다 for strong obligation, -아/어도 되다 for permission, and -면 안 되다 for prohibition. These are more formal than active modal sentences, so they are common in rules, instructions, and polite requests.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
이 신청서는 언제까지 제출되어야 합니까?
By when must this application be submitted?i sin-cheong-seo-neun eon-je-kka-ji je-chul-doe-eo-ya ham-ni-kka?금요일까지 제출되어야 합니다.
It must be submitted by Friday.geum-yo-il-kka-ji je-chul-doe-eo-ya hap-ni-da.그럼 이 서류는 팩스로 보내도 됩니까?
Then can this document be sent by fax?geu-reom i seo-ryu-neun paek-seu-ro bo-nae-do doem-ni-kka?네, 팩스로 보내도 됩니다. 하지만 원본은 우편으로 보내져야 합니다.
Yes, it can be sent by fax. But the original must be sent by mail.ne, paek-seu-ro bo-nae-do doem-ni-da. ha-ji-man won-bon-eun u-pyeon-eu-ro bo-nae-jyeo-ya hap-ni-da.A little context goes a long way
In Korean, passive sentences with modals are often used in formal written contexts such as contracts, manuals, and official notices. The passive voice itself can sound indirect or impersonal, which is valued in hierarchical or formal situations. When speaking casually among friends, active voice with modals is more common. For example, instead of 이 문은 열리면 안 됩니다, friends might say 이 문 열면 안 돼. Adjust your speech level accordingly.
One thing to watch for
Using active modal sentences when passive is required, such as saying *이 서류는 서명해야 합니다* instead of *이 서류는 서명되어야 합니다*.
Try this instead: To express 'must be signed', use the passive verb 서명되다 + -아/어야 하다: 이 서류는 서명되어야 합니다. The active version 서명해야 합니다 means 'must sign', not 'must be signed'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'This letter must be sent' in Korean?
Show a sample answer
이 편지는 보내져야 합니다.
보내지다 is the passive form of 보내다 (to send). Adding -아/어야 하다 gives 'must be sent'. Alternatively, 보내야 합니다 is active and means 'must send', so it is not correct here.
2Translate: 'Can this book be read easily?'
Show a sample answer
이 책은 쉽게 읽힙니까?
읽히다 is the passive form of 읽다 (to read). The adverb 쉽게 (easily) modifies the passive verb. The question ending -ㅂ니까? makes it polite. Another possible answer is 이 책은 쉽게 읽을 수 있습니까? using the potential form, but the passive with -히- is more concise.
3What is the difference between 이 문은 열리면 안 됩니다 and 이 문은 열면 안 됩니다?
Show a sample answer
The first uses the passive verb 열리다 (to be opened) and means 'This door must not be opened (by anyone)'. The second uses the active verb 열다 (to open) and means 'You must not open this door'.
The passive form focuses on the door as the subject receiving the action, while the active form focuses on the person performing the action. Both can be correct depending on context, but the passive is more formal and impersonal.
To form passive sentences with modals in Korean, use a passive verb followed by a modal auxiliary: -아/어야 하다 for 'must be', -아/어도 되다 for 'can be', and -면 안 되다 for 'must not be'. Always check whether the verb is passive or active to avoid confusion.
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