causative form; to make/let somebody do (させる) – Japanese Grammar させる (saseru)

Q: What JLPT level is させる?

JLPT N4 — Upper-Beginner · Forming complex sentences

Q: How do you use させる in a sentence?

Attach させる to the appropriate verb or noun form. Causative form; to make/let somebody do

Q: Is させる formal or casual Japanese?

させる can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

させる

N4 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

saseru

causative form; to make/let somebody do

にみえる ni mieru ぜひ zehi な na あまり～ない amari~nai さっき sakki いたします itashimasu たらどう tara dou てよかった te yokatta 後で ato de ているところ teiru tokoro 意向形 ikou kei おきに oki ni も mo ことになる koto ni naru でございます de gozaimasu ていた te ita てあげる te ageru ても temo 始める hajimeru と言われている to iwarete iru にみえる ni mieru ぜひ zehi な na あまり～ない amari~nai さっき sakki いたします itashimasu たらどう tara dou てよかった te yokatta 後で ato de ているところ teiru tokoro 意向形 ikou kei おきに oki ni も mo ことになる koto ni naru でございます de gozaimasu ていた te ita てあげる te ageru ても temo 始める hajimeru と言われている to iwarete iru

🃏 Flashcard

させる

saseru

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causative form; to make/let somebody do

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N4

Upper-Beginner · Forming complex sentences

Reading saseru

Post ID 50755

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

causative form; to make/let somebody do

📖 How to use it

The causative form expresses making or letting someone do something.

Attaches to Attach to the ない-stem of verbs (the form used with ない). For ichidan verbs: remove る from the dictionary form. For godan verbs: change the final u-sound to the corresponding a-sound. Then add せる.

The causative form means 'to make someone do' or 'to let someone do'. The person who is made or allowed to do the action is marked with に. For example, 母は子供に野菜を食べさせる means 'the mother makes her child eat vegetables'. The subject (the one who makes/lets) is the topic of the sentence, and the person who performs the action is marked with に. This form is common in everyday speech, especially when talking about raising children, giving permission, or describing situations where someone is forced to do something. It is not as formal as some other grammar, but it is standard in both speaking and writing. Be careful: the causative form can also be used to express 'let me do' when asking for permission, as in 行かせてください (please let me go).

母は子供に野菜を食べさせる。

Haha wa kodomo ni yasai o tabesaseru.

The mother makes her child eat vegetables.

先生は学生に本を読ませた。

Sensei wa gakusei ni hon o yomaseta.

The teacher made the students read a book.

父は私に車を運転させてくれる。

Chichi wa watashi ni kuruma o unten sasete kureru.

My father lets me drive the car.

Not ～てもらう～させる focuses on the causer making or allowing someone to do something. ～てもらう focuses on the speaker receiving the favor of someone doing something. For example, 母に料理を作らせる means 'I make my mother cook', but 母に料理を作ってもらう means 'I have my mother cook for me (as a favor)'.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

させる

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat させる three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using させる. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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🔗 More JLPT N4 Patterns

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させられる

causative-passive; to be made to do ~

させてください

please let me do

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern させる mean? ▼

Causative form; to make/let somebody do

What JLPT level is させる? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N4 — Upper-Beginner · Forming complex sentences. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use させる in a sentence? ▼

Attach させる (saseru) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is させる formal or casual Japanese? ▼

させる is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember させる long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.