Processing keyword: ～させてください (〜sasete kudasai)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～させてください (〜sasete kudasai)

1. Introduction

In Japanese, expressing requests and asking for permission is a fundamental aspect of polite communication. The grammar pattern ～させてください (〜sasete kudasai) is used when you want to politely ask someone to allow you to do something. It conveys humility and respect towards the person you are addressing, making it an essential phrase in both formal and informal situations.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

～させてください (〜sasete kudasai) means:

• "Please let me..."
• "Please allow me to..." It is used to request permission to perform an action, emphasizing that you are seeking the listener's approval.

Structure

The pattern is formed by combining the causative form of a verb with ください (kudasai).

Formation:

Verb (causative form) + ください

How to Form the Causative Verb

The causative form of a verb expresses making or letting someone do something. Here's how to form it:

Group 1 Verbs (五段動詞 / Godan Verbs)

1. Change the u-ending of the dictionary form to the a-ending.
2. Add せる (seru). Examples:

Dictionary Form	Stem Change	Causative Form
書く (kaku)	書か (kaka)	書かせる (kakaseru)
飲む (nomu)	飲ませ (nomase)	飲ませる (nomaseru)
行く (iku)	行か (ika)	行かせる (ikaseru)

Group 2 Verbs (一段動詞 / Ichidan Verbs)

1. Remove the る (ru) from the dictionary form.
2. Add させる (saseru). Examples:

Dictionary Form	Stem	Causative Form
食べる (taberu)	食べ (tabe)	食べさせる (tabesaseru)
見る (miru)	見 (mi)	見させる (misaseru)

Irregular Verbs

• する (suru) → させる (saseru)
• 来る (kuru) → 来させる (kosaseru)

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3. Comparative Analysis

～させてください vs. ～てもいいですか

～させてください (〜sasete kudasai)

• Meaning: "Please allow me to..."
• Usage: Polite request for permission, emphasizing the speaker's desire to perform the action.
• Politeness Level: Formal and respectful.

～てもいいですか (〜te mo ii desu ka)

• Meaning: "May I...?" or "Is it okay if I...?"
• Usage: Asking for permission in a more neutral or casual manner.
• Politeness Level: Can be formal or informal depending on context. Example Comparison:
• 窓を開けさせてください。
  • "Please allow me to open the window." (Polite, emphasis on speaker's action)
• 窓を開けてもいいですか。
  • "May I open the window?" (Neutral request for permission)

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4. Examples in Context

Formal Situations

1. 申し訳ありませんが、早退させてください。
   • "I apologize, but please allow me to leave early."
2. このプロジェクトについて説明させてください。
   • "Please allow me to explain about this project."

Informal Situations

1. ちょっと休ませてください。
   • "Please let me take a little rest."
2. ゲームをやらせてください。
   • "Please let me play the game."

Written Context

1. 詳細はメールで連絡させてください。
   • "Please allow me to contact you with the details via email."
2. アンケートに答えさせてください。
   • "Please allow me to answer the questionnaire."

Spoken Context

1. 質問させてください。
   • "Please allow me to ask a question."
2. 意見を言わせてください。
   • "Please let me express my opinion."

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Respect and Politeness: In Japanese culture, showing respect and humility in communication is vital. Using ～させてください indicates that you recognize the listener's authority or position.
• Senpai-Kohai Relationships: Commonly used when speaking to superiors, elders, or in formal settings to show deference.

Levels of Politeness

• Formal Speech: Ideal for business meetings, official requests, or when interacting with clients and customers.
• Honorifics: Can be combined with honorific forms for added politeness. Example with Honorifics:
• ご覧にならせてください。
  • "Please allow me to show you." (Very polite, used in customer service)

Idiomatic Expressions

• 聞かせてください。
  • "Please let me hear (it)." or "Please tell me."
  • Used when asking someone to share information or stories.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Confusing Causative and Passive Forms
   • Passive Form Example: 食べられる (taberareru) - "to be eaten"
   • Causative Form Example: 食べさせる (tabesaseru) - "to make/let eat"
   • Mistake: Using passive instead of causative.
   • Tip: Remember that causative forms often have "せ" or "させ" before the "る".
2. Incorrect Verb Conjugation
   • Mistake: Using させる with the wrong verb group.
   • Tip: Ensure you know whether the verb is Group 1 or Group 2 to apply the correct conjugation rules.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device for Group 1 Verbs:
  • "U to A and add せる"
  • Change the verb ending from u to a and add せる.
  • 書く (kaku) → 書か + せる = 書かせる (kakaseru)
• Practice Conjugation Regularly:
  • Create flashcards with different verbs to practice forming their causative forms.
  • Write sentences using ～させてください to become familiar with the pattern.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～させてください (〜sasete kudasai) is used to politely request permission to perform an action.
• Formed by adding ください to the causative form of a verb.
• Shows respect and is suitable for formal situations.
• Different from ～てもいいですか, which is a neutral request for permission.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Question: How do you form the causative form of a Group 2 verb like 食べる (taberu)?
   • a) Add せる to the verb stem.
   • b) Replace る with させる.
   • c) Add させる after the verb.
2. Question: Translate the following sentence using ～させてください:
   • "Please allow me to join the meeting."
3. Question: Identify and correct the mistake in the following sentence:
   • この仕事を終わられるてください。

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Answers

1. Answer: b) Replace る with させる.
   • 食べる (taberu) → 食べさせる (tabesaseru)
2. Answer: 会議に参加させてください。
   • Kaigi ni sanka sasete kudasai.
3. Correction:
   • Incorrect: 終わられるてください。
   • Correct: 終わらせてください。
   • Explanation: The verb should be in the causative form 終わらせる (owaraseru), not passive 終わられる (owarareru).

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By understanding and practicing ～させてください, you can enhance your ability to make polite requests and navigate social situations in Japanese with greater confidence.

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