What it means
られる forms the passive voice with an ichidan verb stem. It shows that the subject receives an action from another person or thing, often with に marking the agent. The passive can sound neutral, but it is also commonly used to show that the subject was affected or inconvenienced by the action. This form is used in both familiar and polite sentences; the polite version uses られます instead of られる in the non-past positive form.
Usage note
With ichidan verbs, られる can also express potential meaning or respectful language, so the intended meaning must be understood from the context. Godan verbs use a different passive pattern, such as 読まれる, and する and 来る have irregular passive forms.
How to use it
私は発表のあとで先生に褒められます。
I am praised by my teacher after my presentation.
私は発表のあとで先生に褒められる。
I am praised by my teacher after my presentation.
Example sentences
妹は先生に作文を褒められました。
My younger sister was praised by her teacher for her composition.
大切な書類を同僚に捨てられて、困りました。
I was troubled because an important document was thrown away by my colleague.
駅で知らない人に足を踏まれました。
At the station, an unfamiliar person stepped on my foot.