JLPT N4 grammar
～させる (causative) — Meaning & Examples
"Make/let someone do." たべさせる = make/let eat. Context determines "force" vs "permission."
The Causative Form — ～させる
The causative form means "make someone do" or "let someone do".
Group 1: change う-row to あ-row + せる
のむ → のませる (make/let drink)
いく → いかせる (make/let go)
かく → かかせる (make/let write)
Group 2: drop る, add させる
たべる → たべさせる (make/let eat)
みる → みさせる (make/let see)
Irregular:
する → させる (make/let do)
くる → こさせる (make/let come)
"Make" vs "Let" — context decides:
はは は わたし に やさい を たべさせた。
— Mom made me eat vegetables. (forced)
せんせい は がくせい に じゆう に はなさせた。
— The teacher let students speak freely. (permission)
Tip: Adding てください makes it a request:
いかせてください。 — Please let me go.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on ～させる (causative). Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Causative of たべる is?
- たべられる (taberareru)
- たべよう (tabeyou)
- たべさせられる (tabesaserareru)
- たべさせる (tabesaseru)
Show answer
Answer: たべさせる (tabesaseru)
Group 2 causative: drop る, add させる. たべる → たべさせる (make/let eat).
2. する → passive form?
- できる (dekiru)
- させる (saseru)
- される (sareru)
- しよう (shiyou)
Show answer
Answer: される (sareru)
Irregular: する → される (passive), させる (causative). Both must be memorised.
Practise ～させる (causative) in the free app
This point is part of the “Passive & Causative Forms” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: Passive & Causative Forms
Frequently asked questions
What does ～させる (causative) mean?
"Make/let someone do." たべさせる = make/let eat. Context determines "force" vs "permission."
Is ～させる (causative) on the JLPT N4 test?
～させる (causative) is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Passive & Causative Forms”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise ～させる (causative)?
Open the “Passive & Causative Forms” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.