Lesson27:Verbさせる-Understanding the Japanese Causative Form (使役形 – Shiekikei)

The Japanese causative form (使役形 – shiekikei) is a versatile grammatical structure that allows you to express “making someone do something” or “letting someone do something.” It’s similar to English phrases like “make/have someone do X” or “let/allow someone to do X.”

The causative form primarily conveys two nuances:

1. Forcing/Commanding (Make someone do): This implies that someone is being made or ordered to do something, often against their will or simply as an instruction.
   • Example: 先生 (せんせい) は生徒 (せいと) に宿題 (しゅくだい) をさせました。(The teacher made the students do their homework.)
2. Permitting/Allowing (Let someone do / Allow someone to do): This indicates that someone is permitted or allowed to do something.
   • Example: 母 (はは) は私 (わたし) にゲームをさせてくれました。(My mother let me play games.)

How to Form the Causative

The formation of the causative form depends on the verb type: u-verbs (五段動詞 – godan dōshi), ru-verbs (一段動詞 – ichidan dōshi), and irregular verbs.

Understanding Particles with the Causative Form

The particles used with the causative form are crucial for clarifying who is making whom do what.

With Intransitive Verbs (自動詞 – jidōshi)

Intransitive verbs do not take a direct object (e.g., 歩く – aruku [to walk], 行く – iku [to go], 寝る – neru [to sleep], 笑う – warau [to laugh]). When making an intransitive verb causative, you use 「を」 (o) or 「に」 (ni) to indicate the person performing the action (the “causee”).

• [Causer] は [Causee] を/に [Intransitive Causative Verb]
  • Using 「を」 implies a stronger sense of forcing or making the causee do something, often against their will or without considering their preference.
    • Example: 先生 (せんせい) は生徒 (せいと) を 立 (た) たせました。(The teacher made the student stand up.)
  • Using 「に」 is more general and can convey either making or allowing/letting someone do something. It often implies a directive or permission.
    • Example: 私 (わたし) は息子 (むすこ) に 外 (そと) で遊 (あそ) ばせました。(I let my son play outside.)

With Transitive Verbs (他動詞 – tadōshi)

Transitive verbs take a direct object (e.g., 読む – yomu [to read], 食べる – taberu [to eat], 書く – kaku [to write], 話す – hanasu [to speak]). When making a transitive verb causative, you use 「に」 (ni) for the causee (the person doing the action) and 「を」 (o) for the direct object of the action.

• [Causer] は [Causee] に [Direct Object] を [Transitive Causative Verb]
  • Example: 社長 (しゃちょう) は部下 (ぶか) に 資料 (しりょう) を 作 (つく) らせました。(The president made his subordinate make the documents.)
  • Example: 母 (はは) は子供 (こども) に 野菜 (やさい) を 食 (た) べさせました。(My mother made her child eat vegetables.)

The Causative Form Combined with Giving/Receiving Verbs

Combining the causative form with giving and receiving verbs (also known as agemorai dōshi or “giving/receiving verbs”) like 「てあげる」「てくれる」「てもらう」 adds a crucial layer of nuance, expressing the direction of benefit or burden and the speaker’s perspective on the action. This is where the complexities of Japanese human relationships truly shine through.

Causative + てあげる (させる + てあげる / させてあげる)

• Nuance: This structure expresses that the causer allows or makes someone else do something, from the causer’s perspective of giving a benefit or favor to the causee. It suggests the causer is in a position of power or generosity.
• Particles:
  • Intransitive: [Causee] に/を + Causative + てあげる
  • Transitive: [Causee] に + Object を + Causative + てあげる
• Examples:
  • 先生 (せんせい) は生徒 (せいと) に 自由 (じゆう) に意見 (いけん) を言 (い) わせてあげた。
    • (The teacher let the students speak freely. / The teacher allowed the students to express their opinions.)
    • The teacher granted permission, which was a benefit to the students.
  • 私 (わたし) は弟 (おとうと) に ゲームをさせてあげた。
    • (I let my younger brother play games.)
    • I permitted my brother to play, from my perspective of giving.

Causative + てくれる (させる + てくれる / させてくれる)

• Nuance: This indicates that the causer allows or makes someone do something for the speaker’s benefit or the benefit of someone close to the speaker. It carries a nuance of gratitude from the speaker towards the causer for allowing or doing the action.
• Particles:
  • Intransitive: [Causer] が + (私に) + Causative + てくれる
  • Transitive: [Causer] が + (私に) + Object を + Causative + てくれる
• Examples:
  • 母 (はは) は私 (わたし) に 留学 (りゅうがく) をさせてくれた。
    • (My mother let me study abroad.)
    • The speaker is grateful that their mother allowed them to study abroad.
  • 先生 (せんせい) は私 (わたし) に わからないところを質問 (しつもん) させてくれた。
    • (The teacher let me ask questions about what I didn’t understand.)
    • The speaker appreciates that the teacher allowed them to ask questions.

Causative + てもらう (させる + てもらう / させてもらう)

• Nuance: This expresses that the speaker obtains permission from the causer to do something or requests the causer to allow them to do something. It implies a sense of requesting, receiving a favor, or humble gratitude for permission. This is frequently used for polite requests in business contexts.
• Particles:
  • Intransitive: [Causer] に + (私) が + Causative + てもらう
  • Transitive: [Causer] に + (私) が + Object を + Causative + てもらう
• Examples:
  • 部長 (ぶちょう) に 早退 (そうたい) させていただけますか。
    • (Could I be allowed to leave early by the manager? / Would you please let me leave early, Manager?)
    • The speaker is humbly requesting permission to leave early.
  • お客様 (おきゃくさま) に 少々 (しょうしょう) お待 (ま) ちいただいてもよろしいでしょうか。
    • (Would it be alright if I had you wait a moment, sir/madam?)
    • The speaker is humbly requesting the customer to wait, framing it as receiving a favor.

Summary of Causative + Giving/Receiving Verbs

• ～させてあげる: Perspective of the giver of permission/benefit (the causer).
• ～させてくれる: Perspective of the receiver of permission/benefit (the causee/speaker), often with gratitude.
• ～させてもらう: Perspective of the receiver of permission/benefit (the speaker), often as a humble request or a received favor.

These combinations are powerful tools for expressing not just the act of causing or permitting, but also the intricate relationships, emotions, and hierarchical positions involved. While they can be challenging, understanding these nuances is key to mastering natural and polite Japanese communication.