N4Commands & Obligations

V（使役形）＋てください

Q: Is "Using the passive form instead of the causative form" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use the causative form instead of the passive form". The passive form is used to indicate that the action is being done to the subject, whereas the causative form is used to indicate that the action is being done for the benefit of someone else.

Q: Is "Confusing with 'sasete morau' (receiving permission/favor)" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use the correct pattern for receiving permission or favor". The pattern 'sasete morau' is used to receive permission or favor, whereas the pattern 'V（使役形）＋てください' is used to make a polite request for permission to perform an action.

Q: Is "Incorrectly conjugating the causative form" correct?

No. The correct form is "Conjugate the causative form correctly". The causative form is conjugated differently for godan and ichidan verbs, and also for irregular verbs. Make sure to conjugate the causative form correctly for the specific verb you are using.

Please let me do...

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "V（使役形）＋てください" is used to make a polite request for permission to perform an action. It is a combination of the causative te-form of a verb and the polite suffix "ください." This pattern is often used in situations where the speaker is asking someone to allow them to do something, such as "Please let me do this" or "Could you help me with that?" The causative te-form is used to indicate that the action is being done for the benefit of someone else, rather than for the speaker's own benefit. For example, "Please help me with my homework" would be "私の宿題を教えてください" (My homework, please help me with it).

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Godan verb	Verb stem + せ + てください	帰る → 帰らせてください
Ichidan verb	Verb stem + さ + せ + てください	食べる → 食べさせてください
Irregular verb	See verb dictionary for specific conjugation	見る → (See verb dictionary for specific conjugation)

Examples

Example Sentences

気分が悪いので、今日は早く帰らせてください。

Kimochi ga warui node, kyou wa hayaku kaerasete kudasai.

Please let me go home early today because I'm not feeling well.

気分が悪いので (I'm not feeling well because...)、今日は (today)、早く (early)、帰らせてください (please let me go home)

その件について、私に説明させてください。

Sono ken ni tsuite, watashi ni setsumei sasete kudasai.

Please explain that matter to me.

その件について (about that matter)、私に (to me)、説明させてください (please explain it to me)

写真を撮らせてください。

Shashin o toraseru kudasai.

Please take a picture.

写真を (a picture)、撮らせてください (please take a picture)

この本を読ませてください。

Kono hon o yomaseru kudasai.

Please read this book.

この本を (this book)、読ませてください (please read it)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to make a polite request for permission to perform an action. It is often used in formal or polite situations, such as when asking someone to help you with something. It can also be used to ask someone to do something for you, such as "Please help me with my homework."

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using the passive form instead of the causative form

Use the causative form instead of the passive form

The passive form is used to indicate that the action is being done to the subject, whereas the causative form is used to indicate that the action is being done for the benefit of someone else.

Confusing with 'sasete morau' (receiving permission/favor)

Use the correct pattern for receiving permission or favor

The pattern 'sasete morau' is used to receive permission or favor, whereas the pattern 'V（使役形）＋てください' is used to make a polite request for permission to perform an action.

Incorrectly conjugating the causative form

Conjugate the causative form correctly

The causative form is conjugated differently for godan and ichidan verbs, and also for irregular verbs. Make sure to conjugate the causative form correctly for the specific verb you are using.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to conjugate the causative form correctly and use the correct polite suffix. Also, be aware of the difference between the passive and causative forms, and use the correct pattern for receiving permission or favor.

In context