The causative form expresses making or letting someone do something. It’s essential for expressing authority, permission, and requests at work or with family.
At a Glance
| Verb Group | Formation | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (u-verbs) | あ-row + せる | 書く → 書かせる | make/let (someone) write |
| Group 2 (ru-verbs) | Replace る with させる | 食べる → 食べさせる | make/let (someone) eat |
| する | させる | 勉強させる | make/let (someone) study |
| くる | こさせる | 来させる | make/let (someone) come |
“Make” vs “Let” — Context Decides
The same causative form can mean either “make someone do” (coerce) or “let someone do” (permit). Context and the relationship between people tells you which meaning applies.
Make: 先生は生徒に宿題をやらせた。 — The teacher made the students do their homework.
Let: お母さんは子供にゲームをやらせた。 — The mom let the child play games.
Causative + てください — Polite Permission Requests
A very important use: combining causative + てください to ask permission (often translated as “please let me…”):
説明させてください。 — Please let me explain.
一度考えさせてください。 — Please let me think about it once.
This is extremely common in polite business Japanese!
YukaSo 〜させてください is a polite way to ask for permission?
ReiExactly! It’s softer than just asking 〜てもいいですか. 説明させてください is very professional — like “Would you allow me to explain?” You’ll hear it in presentations, meetings, and customer service all the time.
YukaWhat about causative passive — like させられる?
ReiGreat question! させられる = be made to do (against your will). 残業をさせられた = I was made to work overtime. It always implies involuntary action and often shows resentment.
5 Practice Sentences
| # | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 親は子供に野菜を食べさせた。 | The parents made their child eat vegetables. |
| 2 | 社長はみんなを早く帰らせた。 | The president let everyone leave early. |
| 3 | 少し休ませてください。 | Please let me rest for a bit. |
| 4 | 毎日練習させられた。 | I was made to practice every day. (causative passive) |
| 5 | 子供に好きなことをやらせている。 | I let my child do what they like. |
Common Mistakes
| Wrong | Correct | Note |
|---|---|---|
| させてもいいですか for permission (too indirect) | させてください | させてください is the natural business Japanese form |
| Confusing causative with passive | させる = causative; られる = passive | させられる = causative-passive (be made to) |
Quick Quiz
Convert to causative:
1. 子供が走る → Make the child run → 子供を走らせる
2. 学生が発表する → Let the student present → 学生に発表させる
3. Ask permission: “Please let me try.” → やらせてください
Practice in the Comments!
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Keep Learning: Grammar Hub | Passive Form | Potential Form
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