What is the Japanese Causative Form?
The Japanese causative form, known as 使役形 (shiekikei), is a verb conjugation used to express that someone makes, lets, or allows someone else to do an action. It's a powerful grammatical tool for describing situations where one person influences the action of another. Mastering this form is essential for expressing a wide range of relationships and responsibilities.
Conjugation Rules for the Causative Form
The conjugation rules differ based on the verb group. The resulting form ends in せる (seru) for Group 1 verbs and させる (saseru) for Group 2 and 3 verbs.
| Verb Group | Rule | Dictionary Form | Causative Form | Romaji |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (う-verbs) | Change final う-sound to あ-sound + せる | 行く (iku) | 行かせる (ikaseru) | ikaseru |
| Group 2 (る-verbs) | Remove る + させる | 食べる (taberu) | 食べさせる (tabesaseru) | tabesaseru |
| Group 3 (Irregular) | する → させる くる → こさせる |
する (suru) 来る (kuru) |
させる (saseru) 来させる (kosaseru) |
saseru kosaseru |
Tip: A quick way to identify the causative form is to look for the せ or させ sound before the る ending.
Using the Causative Form: Making vs. Letting
The particle used with the person being made/allowed to do the action (the "causee") determines the nuance.
- Use に when the meaning is to let or to allow (more permissive).
- Use を when the meaning is to make or to force (more coercive).
母は子供にお菓子を食べさせた。 Haha wa kodomo ni okashi o tabesaseta. The mother let the child eat candy. (Permission)
先生は学生を立たせた。 Sensei wa gakusei o tataseta. The teacher made the student stand up. (Coercion)
Warning: Context is key! The particle alone doesn't always define the nuance absolutely. The relationship between the people and the situation will clarify if it's "make" or "let."
The Causative-Passive Form (使役受身形)
This form combines the causative and passive forms to express "to be made to do something" or the feeling of being forced into an action, often with a nuance of annoyance or inconvenience. It conjugates to させられる (saserareru).
Conjugation: Causative Form + Passive Form (られる)
- Group 1: 行かせる + られる → 行かせられる (ikaserareru)
- Group 2: 食べさせる + られる → 食べさせられる (tabesaserareru)
- Group 3: させる + られる → させられる (saserareru)
日曜日も出勤させられた。 Nichiyōbi mo shukkin saserareta. I was made to work even on Sunday. (Implies annoyance)
子供の時、毎日野菜を食べさせられました。 Kodomo no toki, mainichi yasai o tabesaseraremashita. When I was a child, I was made to eat vegetables every day.
Tip: For Group 1 verbs, a shortened form is common in spoken Japanese. 行かせられる (ikaserareru) often becomes 行かされる (ikasareru).
させる vs. してもらう: The Nuance of Receiving a Favor
This is a crucial distinction. While both can be translated as "to have someone do something," the feeling is completely different.
- 〜させる focuses on the instigator's action (making/letting). It can be neutral, coercive, or permissive.
- 〜してもらう focuses on the speaker's benefit. It means "to receive the favor of someone doing something" and is always polite and grateful.
友達に車で送らせた。 Tomodachi ni kuruma de okuraseta. I had/let my friend drive me home. (I instigated it; nuance depends on context)
友達に車で送ってもらった。 Tomodachi ni kuruma de okutte moratta. I received the favor of my friend driving me home. (I am grateful for their kindness)
Use してもらう when you want to express thankfulness. Use させる when you are describing the act of causing the action itself.
Practice
Convert the following verbs into their causative form.
- 書く (kaku - to write)
- 見る (miru - to see)
- 勉強する (benkyō suru - to study)
- 来る (kuru - to come)
Convert this sentence into the causative-passive form:
彼は私を待ちます。(Kare wa watashi o machimasu. - He waits for me.)
→ I was made to wait for him.
Choose the correct option (させる or してもらう):
私は歯医者さん______、歯を治したいです。(Watashi wa haisha-san ______, ha o naoshitai desu. - I want to have the dentist fix my teeth.)
Summary & Key Takeaways
- The causative form (させる) expresses making, letting, or allowing someone to do something.
- Particle choice (に vs. を) helps indicate permission ("let") or coercion ("make").
- The causative-passive form (させられる) means "to be made to do" and often carries a negative nuance.
- 〜させる focuses on the action of causing. 〜してもらう focuses on gratefully receiving a favor.
- Practice conjugation from all verb groups to build fluency.
Understanding these nuances will significantly improve your ability to describe complex social interactions and responsibilities in Japanese. Keep practicing with real-life examples!