1A defensive posture in sports or tactics - being on the defensive rather than attacking.
前半で失点した後、チームは受け身に回ってしまった。
After conceding a goal in the first half, the team was forced onto the defensive.
彼は攻撃より受け身の戦術を得意とする選手だ。
He is a player who excels at defensive tactics rather than attacking.
2A passive, non-proactive attitude - waiting for things to happen rather than taking initiative.
会議でいつも受け身な発言しかしないと、印象が薄くなる。
If you only ever make passive remarks in meetings, you'll leave a weak impression.
彼女は恋愛でも受け身なタイプだ。
She's the passive type even in relationships.
受け身の姿勢では、なかなかチャンスはつかめない。
With a passive attitude, it's hard to seize opportunities.
3The grammatical passive voice, in which the recipient of an action becomes the subject, marked by ～られる/～れる.
日本語の受身形は「られる」「れる」を使って作る。
The Japanese passive form is made using ～られる or ～れる.
「褒められる」は「褒める」の受身の形だ。
褒められる is the passive form of 褒める (to praise).
受身の文は、動作をする人よりされる人に焦点が当たる。
A passive sentence focuses on the person affected by the action rather than the one performing it.
4In martial arts such as judo, the technique of safely receiving a fall or throw.
柔道を始めたら、まず受け身の取り方を習う。
When you start judo, the first thing you learn is how to take ukemi.
しっかり受け身を取れば、投げられても怪我をしにくい。
If you take proper ukemi, you're less likely to get hurt even when thrown.