Language/Sinhala/Grammar/Passive-Voice

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Sinhala → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Unit 5: Advanced Grammar → Passive Voice

Introduction

Welcome to Unit 5 of our "Complete 0 to A1 Sinhala Course"! In this unit, we will delve into the intricacies of advanced grammar in the Sinhala language. Our focus for this lesson is the passive voice. The passive voice allows us to talk about actions and events without mentioning who does or did them. It is an important grammatical structure that will help you express yourself more effectively in Sinhala.

Throughout this lesson, we will explore the usage, formation, and examples of the passive voice in Sinhala. We will also touch upon cultural aspects related to the topic, providing you with not only a comprehensive understanding of the grammar but also insights into the Sinhala language and its cultural context.

So, let's dive into the fascinating world of the passive voice in Sinhala!

The Passive Voice in Sinhala

1. Understanding the Passive Voice The passive voice is used to shift the focus from the doer of the action to the receiver of the action. In other words, it allows us to emphasize the object or the recipient of the action rather than the subject or the doer.

In Sinhala, the passive voice is formed by using the verb stem followed by the particle "ද" (da) and the verb ending "මු" (mu). For example, let's take the verb "පාර" (para) which means "to read". The passive voice of this verb would be "පාරදමු" (para damu), which means "to be read".

2. Usage of the Passive Voice The passive voice is used in various situations in Sinhala. Here are some common usages:

- When the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant:

 - මාව සුළු පාට දුටුවීය. (Māva sulupa pāta dutuwīya.) 
   (I was given a beautiful gift.)
 - මම මිනිසුන්ට ප්‍රසිද්ධ වීම් දුටුම්දීය. (Mama minisunti prasidu wīmusīya.)
   (I was informed by the students.)

- When the receiver of the action is more important:

 - එය ස්වයංක්‍රියව සිදු වීම් යන්න පට්ටමක් ඇතුලත්වීය. (Eya svaṃkrīyava sidu wīmus yanna pattamak ātultuvīya.)
   (It is important to be disciplined.)

- When the action is a general truth or a habitual action:

 - මිනිසුන් සහෝදරයේ යමු. (Minisunti sahodaraye yamu.)
   (Students are respected.)

3. Formation of the Passive Voice To form the passive voice in Sinhala, follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove the verb ending (මු or වු) from the verb stem. Step 2: Add the particle "ද" (da) after the verb stem. Step 3: Add the appropriate verb ending based on the tense, mood, or aspect.

For example, let's take the verb "පාර" (para) which means "to read". Here's how we can form the passive voice:

Present Tense: - Singular: පාරදමුය (para damuya) - is being read - Plural: පාරදමුයි (para damuyi) - are being read

Past Tense: - Singular: පාරදමුවීය (para damuwīya) - was/were read - Plural: පාරදමුවීයි (para damuwīyi) - were read

Future Tense: - Singular: පාරදමුන්ට (para damunti) - will be read - Plural: පාරදමුන්ටි (para damunti) - will be read

4. Examples of the Passive Voice Let's see some examples of the passive voice in action:

Sinhala	Pronunciation	English
පාරදමුය.	Para damuya.	It is being read.
පාරදමුවීයි.	Para damuwīyi.	They were read.
පාරදමුන්ටි.	Para damunti.	They will be read.

Cultural Insights

The usage and understanding of the passive voice can vary across different regions and cultures. In Sinhala, the passive voice is commonly used to show respect and humility, especially when talking about oneself or others. It is a way of downplaying personal achievements or actions and attributing them to external factors or circumstances.

In Sinhala culture, there is an emphasis on collectivism and harmony within the community. The passive voice reflects this cultural value by shifting the focus from the individual to the collective. It promotes a sense of interconnectedness and shared responsibility, where actions and events are seen as a result of collective efforts rather than individual achievements.

An interesting cultural fact related to the passive voice in Sinhala is the concept of "අපිට දාන්න" (apitu danna), which translates to "let it be done by us". This phrase is often used in situations where a task or responsibility is shared among a group of people. It reflects the collective mindset and highlights the importance of collaboration and cooperation in achieving goals.

Practice Exercises

Now it's time to put your knowledge of the passive voice into practice! Complete the following exercises and check your answers below:

Exercise 1: Form the passive voice of the following verbs in Sinhala:

1. රැස්වීම් (rāsvīmus) - to clean 2. අරුතිය (aruthiya) - to help 3. පිටිය (pitīya) - to open 4. සුපිරිම (supirim) - to love 5. අපිට දාන්න (apitu danna) - to do collectively

Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into English using the passive voice in Sinhala:

1. මම දැන් හාමුදුන්ගේ සහෝදරයි. 2. එය වනවිට පෙර මාව සුළු තියෙන්නෙයි. 3. එය දුටු පෙර මම හාමුදුන්ට සේවා කරනවා. 4. මම බලන්නෙයි කියලා එයින් පාඩු කරාමු.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the following sentences in the active voice in Sinhala:

1. මම විශ්වාසයි දැන් සිටියි. 2. එය විශ්වාසයි කරුණාවයි. 3. මම විශ්වාසයි හාමුදුන්ගේ සහෝදරයි. 4. මම විශ්වාසයේ තියෙන්නෙයි කියලා එයින් පාඩු කරනවා.

Answer Key

Exercise 1:

1. රැස්වීම් (rāsvīmus) - රැස්වදමුය (rāsuvadamuya) 2. අරුතිය (aruthiya) - අරුතිදමුය (aruthidamuya) 3. පිටිය (pitīya) - පිටිදමුය (pitidamuya) 4. සුපිරිම (supirim) - සුපිරිදමුය (supiridamuya) 5. අපිට දාන්න (apitu danna) - අපිට දමුය (apitu damuya)

Exercise 2:

1. I am respected by my teachers. 2. It was given to me earlier. 3. It is being served to me by the waiters. 4. I am loved by my parents.

Exercise 3:

1. I know the answer. 2. It creates a problem. 3. I am respected by my teachers. 4. I am doing the work in the classroom.

Table of Contents - Sinhala Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Unit 1: Introduction

• Greetings and Introductions
• Numbers and Counting

  ---

Unit 2: Basic Grammar

• Sinhala Alphabet
• Nouns and Pronouns
• Verbs and Tenses

  ---

Unit 3: Sinhala Culture

• Festivals and Celebrations
• Sinhala Cuisine

  ---

Unit 4: Daily Life

• Family and Relationships
• Transportation and Directions

  ---

Unit 5: Advanced Grammar

• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Conditional and Subjunctive
• Passive Voice

  ---

Unit 6: Sinhala Society

• Sinhala Folklore and Legends
• Traditional Arts and Crafts

  ---

Unit 7: Holidays and Travel

• Booking and Checking In
• Tourist Attractions and Activities

  ---

Unit 8: Conversational Sinhala

• Expressions and Idioms
• Sinhala Slang and Colloquialisms

  ---

Unit 9: Sinhala History

• Ancient Civilization of Sri Lanka
• European Colonization and Independence

  ---

Unit 10: Proficiency Test Preparation

• Listening and Reading Comprehension
• Speaking and Writing Production

Sources

• Passive Voice all tenses | Learn English in Sinhala ( New Step-by
• Active voice / Passive voice in sinhala # passive voice සිංහලෙන් ...
• Passive Voice in Sinhala (Full Lesson) | Learn English in Sinhala ...

Other Lessons

• Give your Opinion
• Sinhala Slang and Colloquialisms
• Conditional Mood
• Expressions and Idioms
• Sinhala Alphabet
• Pronouns
• Adjectives and Adverbs
• How to Use Have
• 0 to A1 Course

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