Learn JLPT N4 Lesson 48 Grammar

MINNA NO NIHONGO 2 - LESSON 48 – CAUSATIVE FORM

WHAT IS THE CAUSATIVE FORM

The causative form in Japanese is used when one person makes or lets another person do something. it means:

- make someone do something

- let someone do something

- allow someone to do something

This grammar is very important for JLPT N4 and daily conversation.

BASIC CAUSATIVE SENTENCE PATTERN

person に / を + action + causative verb

HOW TO MAKE CAUSATIVE VERBS

GROUP 1 VERBS (U VERBS)

Rule: Change the final 'u' sound to 'a' sound, then add せます

Examples:

- よみます → よむ → よませます

make / let someone read

- のみます → のむ → のませます

make / let someone drink

- いきます → いく → いかせます

make / let someone go

- はなします → はなす → はなさせます

make / let someone speak

GROUP 2 VERBS (RU VERBS)

Rule: Remove る, then add させます

Examples:

- たべます → たべる → たべさせます

make / let someone eat

- みます → みる → みさせます

make / let someone see

IRREGULAR VERBS

- します → する → させます

make / let someone do

- きます → くる → こさせます

make / let someone come

USING THE CAUSATIVE FORM WITH に PARTICLE

The particle に marks the person who does the action. This is the most common and safest pattern for JLPT N4.

Examples:

- わたしは こどもに ほんを よませます

I make my child read a book.

- せんせいは がくせいに しゅくだいを させます

The teacher makes the student do homework.

Use に for normal actions like reading, eating, studying, and working.

USING THE CAUSATIVE FORM WITH を PARTICLE

The particle を is used when the action involves:

- movement

- direction

- position

- strong control

Examples:

- ぶちょうは ミラーさんを あめりかへ いかせました

The boss sent Miller-san to America.

- ちちは むすこを でんしゃの なかで たたせます

The father makes his son stand inside the train.

If you are unsure in JLPT, use に. Use を mainly with movement or position verbs.

CAUSATIVE TE FORM + いただけませんか

This pattern is used to make very polite requests.

Meaning in English:

- Could you please let me do something?

- May I be allowed to do something?

Examples:

- でんわを つかわせて いただけませんか

Could you please let me use the phone?

- ここで しゃしんを とらせて いただけませんか

Could you please allow me to take a photo here?

This form is used in offices, formal situations, and when speaking politely.

LESSON 48 SUMMARY

The causative form is used to make or let someone do something.

Group 1 verbs change sound and add せます.

Group 2 verbs remove る and add させます.

Use に for normal actions.

Use を for movement or position.

Use causative te form + いただけませんか for polite requests.

This grammar is essential for JLPT N4 success.