How to Use the Russian Passive Voice Correctly
One of the most fascinating things about Russian is how it conveys action without always telling you who performs it. Instead of saying directly “someone built the house,” Russian often prefers to say “the house was built,” shifting the focus from the doer to the deed itself. This is the Russian passive voice—a structure that is elegant, powerful, and deeply tied to the way Russians describe events, responsibilities, and even personal emotions. While many learners shy away from it, thinking it too abstract or complex, the passive voice in Russian is both logical and practical, and mastering it opens a whole new dimension of expression.
For learners of Russian, the passive voice is more than a grammar exercise; it’s a cultural insight. Russian is a language that values process and result as much as the person behind them. That’s why phrases like Дом строится (“The house is being built”) or Эта книга читается легко (“This book is easy to read”) are so common—they highlight the action, not necessarily the actor. By learning how to form and use the passive voice correctly, you’ll not only improve your grammar but also sound more natural and closer to how native speakers think.
This article will guide you through the mechanics of the Russian passive voice, the situations in which it’s used, common pitfalls, and hacks to make it easy to remember. Along the way, we’ll explore how Russians prefer to phrase things, why certain passive forms are favored, and how you can confidently use them in conversation, writing, and professional settings.
What Is the Passive Voice in Russian?
In grammar, the passive voice means that the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performing it.
Active: Строители построили дом. – The builders built the house.
Passive: Дом был построен строителями. – The house was built by the builders.
In Russian, the passive is not just a stylistic choice; it is often the preferred way to highlight the action or its result.
Two Main Types of Russian Passive Voice
Russian has two major ways to express the passive voice:
1. Passive Voice with -ся Verbs
Many reflexive verbs ending in -ся can take on a passive meaning.
Examples:
Книга читается легко. – The book is read easily.
Эти вопросы обсуждаются на собрании. – These issues are being discussed at the meeting.
This form is very common in spoken Russian and informal writing. It often gives an impersonal feel, as if “things just happen.”
2. Passive Voice with Participles (быть + past passive participle)
This is the more formal, structured passive, used especially in writing, news, or academic contexts.
Examples:
Дом был построен в 1990 году. – The house was built in 1990.
Решение было принято комиссией. – The decision was made by the commission.
This form is closer to English passive constructions and is particularly common in official or historical contexts.
When to Use the Passive Voice in Russian
The passive voice is used in specific situations where the action or result is more important than the person doing it.
To Emphasize the Action or Result
Эта работа будет выполнена завтра. – This work will be completed tomorrow.
When the Doer Is Unknown or Unimportant
В этом доме всегда убирается. – This house is always cleaned (who cleans it is not important).
In Formal or Academic Contexts
Доклад был опубликован в журнале. – The report was published in a journal.
To Sound Impersonal or Neutral
Так не делается. – That’s not done (general rule).
Forming Passive Constructions
With -ся Verbs
Take the verb and add -ся. Many active verbs automatically form reflexive-passive meanings.
строить → строиться
читать → читаться
решать → решаться
Examples:
Мост строится уже три года. – The bridge has been under construction for three years.
Этот роман читается на одном дыхании. – This novel is read in one breath (very engaging).
With Participles
Use the verb быть + past passive participle.
Formation:
Verb stem + suffix (-нн-, -т-, -ем-, depending on conjugation).
Examples:
писать → написанный – written
сделать → сделанный – done
открыть → открытый – opened
Sentence:
Письмо было написано вчера. – The letter was written yesterday.
Common Pitfalls
Overusing the participle form in casual speech
In everyday conversation, Russians often prefer the -ся form because it sounds more natural.Correct spoken style: Книга читается легко.
Too formal in casual talk: Книга была прочитана легко.
Confusing reflexive-passive with reflexive-personal meaning
Some verbs with -ся are not passive at all:учиться = to study (not “to be studied”).
Forgetting aspect
Participles come in both perfective and imperfective forms. Using the wrong one can sound unnatural.Дом был строен (incorrect).
Дом был построен (correct).
Ignoring cases
The agent (the doer) in a passive construction is in the instrumental case.Письмо было написано учителем. – The letter was written by the teacher.
Everyday Examples of the Passive Voice
Эти слова не переводятся. – These words cannot be translated.
Новый закон был принят вчера. – The new law was adopted yesterday.
В комнате всегда убирается. – The room is always cleaned.
Рассказ был написан Чеховым. – The story was written by Chekhov.
Hacks for Mastering the Passive Voice
Think Result First
When the result is important, use the participle form: Письмо было написано.Think Process or Ongoing Action
When the process is important, use the -ся form: Письмо пишется.Memorize Common Expressions
Так не делается. – That’s not done.
Это легко читается. – It’s easy to read.
Работа будет выполнена. – The work will be done.
Look for the Instrumental Case
When you see a doer expressed, remember it takes instrumental: построен архитектором (built by the architect).Listen to Register
Spoken Russian: -ся forms.
Written/academic Russian: participles.
Practice Exercise
Translate into Russian:
The book is being read by the student.
The letter was written yesterday.
The house is being built.
These problems are being discussed.
The law was adopted by the government.
Answers:
Книга читается студентом.
Письмо было написано вчера.
Дом строится.
Эти проблемы обсуждаются.
Закон был принят правительством.
FAQs About the Russian Passive Voice
Q: Is the passive voice used as often in Russian as in English?
A: Not exactly. Russian often prefers reflexive or impersonal forms instead of long participle passives.
Q: Which is easier to use: -ся forms or participles?
A: -ся forms are easier and more common in everyday conversation, while participles are common in writing.
Q: Can all verbs form passive constructions?
A: No. Intransitive verbs (verbs without a direct object) usually don’t form passive sentences.
Q: Do I always have to mention the “doer” in a passive sentence?
A: No. In fact, it’s common to omit the doer entirely unless it’s important.
Q: How do I know if a -ся verb is reflexive or passive?
A: Context is key. Учиться (to study) is reflexive-personal, while решаться (to be solved) is passive.
Q: Is the passive voice formal in Russian?
A: The participle form is more formal, but the -ся passive is common in everyday speech.
Q: Do Russians avoid the passive voice?
A: Not at all. They use it frequently, but often prefer simpler, reflexive-based forms.
Q: Should learners focus on passives early or later?
A: It’s best to start with basic -ся forms, then move on to participles once you’re comfortable with cases and aspects.
Final Thoughts
The Russian passive voice may seem daunting at first, but it follows a clear logic: -ся forms for processes and general statements, participles for results and formal writing. Once you internalize this distinction, you’ll find yourself reading and hearing passives everywhere—in newspapers, conversations, even proverbs. By mastering the passive voice, you gain not only a powerful grammatical tool but also a deeper cultural understanding of how Russians frame action and responsibility.
At Polyglottist Language Academy, we make topics like the passive voice clear and approachable. Our Russian classes combine grammar with culture, ensuring that you don’t just memorize forms but also understand when and why Russians use them. Sign up today to take your Russian to the next level, and let us guide you step by step through the intricacies of grammar until they feel natural.