adjective
passive
B1
'passiv' is an adjective meaning 'passive' (not active; lacking initiative) and can describe the grammatical voice (passive). Antonym: aktiv. It is gradable: comparative passiver, superlative am passivsten. Not a participle. No special prepositions or reflexive use; regular adjective inflection applies.
Examples
Der Zeuge blieb passiv, obwohl die Fragen klar und wiederholt gestellt wurden.
The witness remained passive, although the questions were asked clearly and repeatedly.
Er ist in Gruppendiskussionen oft sehr passiv.
He is often very passive in group discussions.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine someone leaning back and letting others act — that image represents being passive.
Sounds like English 'passive' — same meaning and similar pronunciation.
Notes
Commonly used to describe behavior (passive) and also appears in grammatical contexts (Passiv = passive voice), but here it's the adjective meaning 'not active' or 'inactive'.