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

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

1. Introduction

The grammar point ～せてください (〜sete kudasai) is a polite expression used in Japanese to request permission to perform an action oneself. It translates to "Please let me..." or "Please allow me to...". This form is essential for expressing desires respectfully and is commonly used in both formal and informal settings.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• ～せてください: "Please allow me to..." or "Please let me..."

Structure

To construct this form, you need:

1. Verb in causative form (indicates causing someone to do something).
2. -te form of the causative verb.
3. Add ください (kudasai) to make it polite.

Formation Diagram

[Verb in causative -te form] + ください

How to Form the Causative -te Form

1. Ichidan Verbs (る-verbs)
   • Remove る and add させて.
     • 食べる (taberu) → 食べさせて (tabesasete)
2. Godan Verbs (う-verbs)
   • Change the u-ending to the a-line equivalent + せて.
     • 書く (kaku) → 書かせて (kakasede)
     • 飲む (nomu) → 飲ませて (nomasete)
3. Irregular Verbs
   • する (suru) → させて (sasete)
   • 来る (kuru) → 来させて (kosasete)

Visual Aid: Verb Conjugation Table

Verb Type	Dictionary Form	Causative Form	Causative -te Form
Ichidan	食べる (taberu)	食べさせる	食べさせて
Godan	書く (kaku)	書かせる	書かせて
Godan	話す (hanasu)	話させる	話させて
Irregular	する (suru)	させる	させて
Irregular	来る (kuru)	来させる	来させて

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3. Comparative Analysis

～せてください vs. ～てもいいですか

• ～せてください
  • Emphasizes requesting permission to perform an action oneself.
  • More direct in expressing one's desire to do something.
  • Example: 見させてください。 (Please let me see.)
• ～てもいいですか
  • Asks if it is okay to perform an action.
  • Slightly less direct; can be used for general permission.
  • Example: 見てもいいですか。 (May I see?) Nuance Difference:
• ～せてください shows a stronger desire and personal involvement.
• ～てもいいですか is more about seeking approval rather than expressing desire.

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4. Examples in Context

Formal Situations

1. その書類を確認させてください。 Sono shorui o kakunin sasete kudasai. "Please allow me to check those documents."
2. 発言させていただけますか。 Hatsugen sasete itadakemasu ka. "May I be allowed to speak?"

Informal Situations

1. ちょっと休ませてください。 Chotto yasumasete kudasai. "Please let me rest for a bit."
2. 車を運転させて。 Kuruma o unten sasete. "Let me drive the car."

Written Language

1. 今後の予定を説明させていただきます。 Kongo no yotei o setsumei sasete itadakimasu. "Please allow me to explain the upcoming schedule."

Spoken Language

1. 試させてください！ Tamesasete kudasai! "Please let me try!"

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Politeness and Respect: Using ～せてください shows respect by asking for permission rather than assuming consent.
• Hierarchy Awareness: Particularly important when addressing superiors or in formal contexts.

Levels of Politeness

• Standard Politeness: ～せてください
• More Formal Politeness: ～させていただけますか
  • Example: 質問させていただけますか。
    • "May I ask a question?"

Idiomatic Expressions

• 手伝わせてください。 Tetsudawasete kudasai. "Please allow me to help."
• お待たせしてすみません。 Omatase shite sumimasen. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
  • Note: Here, お待たせして is an idiomatic expression using the causative form.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Misusing the Form
   • Incorrect: 食べてください。 (Please eat.)
     • Asking someone else to eat.
   • Correct: 食べさせてください。 (Please let me eat.)
     • Requesting permission to eat.
2. Confusing with Passive Form
   • Passive Form: 食べられる (taberareru) - "to be eaten"
   • Causative Form: 食べさせる (tabesaseru) - "to make/let eat"
   • Be careful to use the causative form for ～せてください.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device:
  • せて sounds like "set," as in "Set me free to..." → "Let me..."
• Practice Conjugation:
  • Regularly conjugate various verbs into the causative -te form.
• Contextual Learning:
  • Use real-life scenarios to practice forming sentences.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～せてください is used to politely request permission to perform an action oneself.
• Formed by conjugating the verb into its causative -te form and adding ください.
• Important to distinguish between asking someone else to do something (～てください) and requesting to do something oneself (～せてください).

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you form the causative -te form of the verb 読む (yomu)? Answer: 読ませて (yomasete)
2. Translate to Japanese: "Please let me help with the work." Answer: 仕事を手伝わせてください。
   Shigoto o tetsudawasete kudasai.
3. What is the difference between 話してください and 話させてください? Answer:
   • 話してください (Hanashite kudasai): "Please speak." (Requesting someone else to speak.)
   • 話させてください (Hanasasete kudasai): "Please let me speak." (Requesting permission to speak oneself.)

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By mastering ～せてください, you enhance your ability to make polite requests and navigate social situations respectfully in Japanese.

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