JLPT N3 reference · Voice and transitivity
Causative form
The causative presents one participant as causing, allowing, or making another perform an action.
Core meaning and form
Ichidan verbs add させる; godan verbs move to the a-row + せる; する → させる and 来る → 来させる. Particles and social context distinguish permission from coercion; に commonly marks the causee of an intransitive action.
- Form: Ichidan verbs add させる; godan verbs move to the a-row + せる; する → させる and 来る → 来させる.
- Core use: The causative presents one participant as causing, allowing, or making another perform an action.
- Context: Particles and social context distinguish permission from coercion; に commonly marks the causee of an intransitive action.
Examples in context
母は子どもに野菜を食べさせました。Haha wa kodomo ni yasai o tabesasemashita.The mother made the child eat vegetables.
先生は学生を立たせました。Sensei wa gakusei o tatasemashita.The teacher made the student stand.
今日は早く帰らせてください。Kyō wa hayaku kaerasete kudasai.Please allow me to leave early today.
Common errors
- Do not select this pattern from an English translation alone; check its attachment and discourse function.
- Keep the surrounding sentence in a consistent plain, polite, spoken, or written register.
Quick summary
- Ichidan verbs add させる; godan verbs move to the a-row + せる; する → させる and 来る → 来させる.
- The causative presents one participant as causing, allowing, or making another perform an action.
- Particles and social context distinguish permission from coercion; に commonly marks the causee of an intransitive action.