Verbs · N4–N3
Japanese causative: make / let someone do
Express causing, allowing, or arranging another person’s action.
In short
The causative adds 〜せる/〜させる patterns depending on verb group. The causer and doer are marked according to the construction and verb type.
How it works
English “make” and “let” suggest a sharp distinction, but Japanese causative can cover a range from force to permission; context and surrounding wording carry the nuance.
Useful contrast
Requests for permission often use causative + てください or てもらえませんか to mean “please let me…”.
Examples
母は子どもに野菜を食べさせました。
The mother made/had the child eat vegetables.
少し休ませてください。
Please let me rest a little.
Common pitfall
Do not assume causative always sounds coercive. Relationship and context determine whether it is force, permission, arrangement or responsibility.