Understanding the Japanese Causative Form
In Japanese, the causative form is used when you want to say that someone makes someone else do something or lets someone do something. It's like saying 'make' or 'let' in English.
How to Form the Causative
Important Points
- For Group 1 verbs (ending in -u), change the -u to -aseru. For example, '書く' (kaku, to write) becomes '書かせる' (kakaseru, to make/let write).
- For Group 2 verbs (ending in -eru or -iru), drop the -ru and add -saseru. For example, '食べる' (taberu, to eat) becomes '食べさせる' (tabesaseru, to make/let eat).
- For irregular verbs like 'する' (suru, to do) and '来る' (kuru, to come), they become 'させる' (saseru) and '来させる' (kosaseru) respectively.
When to Use the Causative Form
Use the causative form when you want to express that someone is causing another person to do something. It can also mean allowing someone to do something.
Examples
- 母は私に野菜を食べさせる。 (Haha wa watashi ni yasai o tabesaseru.) - My mom makes me eat vegetables.
- 先生は学生に本を読ませる。 (Sensei wa gakusei ni hon o yomaseru.) - The teacher lets the students read a book.
- 彼は弟を遊ばせる。 (Kare wa otouto o asobaseru.) - He lets his younger brother play.
Try using the causative form with different verbs to get comfortable with how it changes the meaning. Remember, it's all about making or letting someone do something.