das  Passiv

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/pasˈsiːf/

📚 What does 'das Passiv' mean?

'Das Passiv' is a German noun with two main meanings:

1. Grammar (Linguistics): Here, 'das Passiv' refers to the grammatical voice (Genus Verbi) where the subject of a sentence doesn't perform the action but rather experiences or undergoes it. It's also called the Leideform ('suffering form'). Example: 'Das Haus wird gebaut.' ('The house is being built.') (Not: 'Someone is building the house.')
2. Economics (Accounting/Finance): In a company's balance sheet (Bilanz), 'das Passiv' (mostly used in plural: die Passiva) refers to liabilities (Verbindlichkeiten) and equity (Eigenkapital). It shows where the company's financial resources come from (Mittelherkunft - origin of funds). It contrasts with the Aktiva (assets, Mittelverwendung - use of funds).

⚠️ Attention: The plural form 'die Passiva' is almost exclusively used in the financial context. The plural for the grammatical meaning is 'die Passive', but it's used less frequently.

🧐 Grammar and Declension of 'das Passiv'

'Das Passiv' is a neuter noun. Its declension follows a regular pattern.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

The plural form depends on the meaning:

• Grammar: die Passive
• Finance: die Passiva

📝 Example Sentences

• Grammar: Der Lehrer erklärte das Passiv und seine Bildung. (The teacher explained the passive voice and its formation.)
• Grammar: Im Deutschen wird das Passiv häufig mit 'werden' gebildet. (In German, the passive voice is often formed with 'werden'.)
• Finance: Die Bilanz zeigt auf der rechten Seite die Passiva. (The balance sheet shows the liabilities and equity on the right side.)
• Finance: Zum Passiv eines Unternehmens zählen Schulden und Eigenkapital. (The liabilities and equity side of a company includes debts and equity capital.)

💡 How to use 'das Passiv'?

The usage of 'das Passiv' is highly context-dependent:

• In language classes or linguistics: Here, you talk about 'das Passiv' as a grammatical concept. You analyze sentences in the passive voice, learn the rules for forming the passive, or discuss stylistic effects. Example: „Kannst du diesen Satz ins Passiv setzen?“ ("Can you put this sentence into the passive voice?")
• In accounting, finance, or economics: Here, 'das Passiv' (usually plural 'die Passiva') refers to the financing side of the balance sheet. You discuss the structure of the liabilities and equity, the amount of debt, or the equity capital. Example: „Die Summe der Aktiva muss immer der Summe der Passiva entsprechen.“ ("The sum of the assets must always equal the sum of the liabilities and equity.")

It's important not to confuse the two meanings, as they belong to completely different fields.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic (das): Think of das Geschehen (the event, what happens). In the passive voice, something happens to the subject. Alternatively, think of das Kapital (the capital) which is represented on the Passiv side of the balance sheet.

Meaning Mnemonic:
Grammar: The actor is 'past' (passé), unimportant; the focus is on what 'passes' (happens). -> Passiv.
Finance: Where does the money 'pass' from? From creditors or owners. -> Passiva.

↔️ Opposites and Alternatives: Das Passiv

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms

• Passivität: Refers to inaction or apathy of a person or group (adjective: passiv).
• Passivierung: A term from chemistry (formation of a protective layer) or engineering.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Wer kann mir einen Satz im Passiv nennen?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Das Pausenbrot wurde gegessen."
Lehrer: "Sehr gut! Und wer war der Täter?"
Fritzchen: "Das sagt das Passiv ja gerade nicht!"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "Who can give me a sentence in the passive voice?"
Little Fritz raises his hand: "The packed lunch was eaten."
Teacher: "Very good! And who was the culprit?"
Fritz: "That's exactly what the passive voice doesn't tell you!"

📜 Poem about the Passive Voice

Das Subjekt ruht, es ist ganz still,
weil jemand andres handeln will.
Die Handlung wird ihm angetan,
so fängt die Leideform dann an.
Das Haus wird frisch gestrichen fein,
vom Maler – doch der muss nicht sein.
Gekocht, gebaut, geliebt, gefragt,
das Passiv hat es uns gesagt.

Translation:
The subject rests, it is quite still,
because someone else wants to act.
The action is done unto it,
thus the passive form begins.
The house is freshly painted fine,
by the painter – but he needn't be in line.
Cooked, built, loved, asked,
the passive voice has told us so at last.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich zeige, was getan wird, doch nie, wer es tut.
In der Bilanz zeig' ich Schulden und Eigenkapital-Gut.

Wer oder was bin ich?

Translation:
I show what is done, but never who does it.
On the balance sheet, I show debts and equity's kit.

Who or what am I?

Solution: das Passiv / die Passiva (the passive voice / liabilities and equity)

✨ Other Information

Word Origin: The word 'Passiv' comes from the Latin word 'passivus', meaning 'capable of suffering', 'suffering', or 'receiving'. This clearly reflects the grammatical meaning, where the subject 'receives' or 'suffers' the action.

International Relevance: The concept of the passive voice exists in many languages, albeit with different formation rules. The term 'Passiva' in accounting is also internationally common (e.g., English 'liabilities and equity').