Processing keyword: Verb させられる (Verb-saserareru)

Japanese Grammar Point: Verb させられる (Verb-saserareru)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the Japanese grammar point "Verb させられる (Verb-saserareru)", which is the causative-passive form of verbs. This form expresses situations where the subject is made to do something by someone else, often against their will or under compulsion.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The causative-passive form indicates that the subject is forced or made to perform an action by someone else. It combines the causative (making someone do something) and the passive (being acted upon) forms.

Structure

To form the causative-passive, we take the verb stem and conjugate it accordingly. Here's how it's formed:

1. Group 1 Verbs (Godan verbs):
   • Change the u-ending to the a-ending, add -せられる.
   • However, in spoken Japanese, -せられる often contracts to -される.
2. Group 2 Verbs (Ichidan verbs):
   • Remove -る and add -させられる.
3. Irregular Verbs:
   • する becomes させられる.
   • くる becomes こさせられる.

Formation Diagram

Group 1 Verbs (Godan Verbs)

Verb Dictionary Form	Change to "A" sound	Add せられる / される
書く (kaku)	書か (kaka)	書かせられる
話す (hanasu)	話さ (hanasa)	話させられる
飲む (nomu)	飲ま (noma)	飲まされる

Note: In colloquial speech, -せられる often becomes -される.

Group 2 Verbs (Ichidan Verbs)

Verb Dictionary Form	Remove る	Add させられる
食べる (taberu)	食べ	食べさせられる
見る (miru)	見	見させられる

Irregular Verbs

Verb Dictionary Form	Causative-Passive Form
する (suru)	させられる
くる (kuru)	こさせられる

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3. Comparative Analysis

Causative Form vs. Causative-Passive Form

• Causative Form (させる): Indicates making or letting someone do something.
  • 先生は学生に本を読ませた。
    • The teacher made the student read a book.
• Causative-Passive Form (させられる): Indicates being made to do something by someone.
  • 学生は先生に本を読まされた。
    • The student was made to read a book by the teacher.

Passive Form vs. Causative-Passive Form

• Passive Form (られる): Indicates an action is done to the subject.
  • 私は友達に笑われた。
    • I was laughed at by my friend.
• Causative-Passive Form (させられる): Combines causative and passive; subject is made to do something.
  • 私は先生に走らされた。
    • I was made to run by the teacher.

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4. Examples in Context

Formal Context

1. 会議で長いスピーチをさせられました。
   • I was made to give a long speech at the meeting.
2. 部長に残業をさせられることが多いです。
   • I am often made to work overtime by the department manager.

Informal Context

1. 昨日、親に部屋を掃除させられた。
   • Yesterday, I was made to clean my room by my parents.
2. 友達に変な服を着させられたよ。
   • I was made to wear weird clothes by my friend.

Written Context

1. その少年は学校でいじめっ子に泣かされました。
   • The boy was made to cry by bullies at school.
2. 彼女は上司に無理な依頼をさせられている。
   • She is being made to undertake unreasonable tasks by her boss.

Spoken Context

1. また先生に宿題をたくさんやらされた！
   • I was made to do a lot of homework by the teacher again!
2. 弟にゲームを貸させられた。
   • I was made to lend my game to my younger brother.

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Collectivism and Hierarchy: In Japanese culture, there's a strong sense of hierarchy and respect for authority. The causative-passive form reflects situations where someone of higher status (like a boss or teacher) compels someone of lower status to do something.
• Politeness Levels: Using the causative-passive can imply a lack of willingness or a sense of burden, which is important in Japanese communication to express one's feelings indirectly.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 泣かせられる (nakaserareru): Being moved to tears (can also mean being made to cry).
• 困らせられる (komaraserareru): Being put into trouble or inconvenience by someone else.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Confusing Passive and Causative-Passive Forms:
   • Incorrect: 先生に読まれた。
     • This is passive and means "was read by the teacher."
   • Correct: 先生に読まされた。
     • Causative-passive meaning "was made to read by the teacher."
2. Overusing in Polite Contexts:
   • The causative-passive can sound like a complaint. Be cautious when using it with superiors.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic for させられる:
  • Think of "させ" (make/let do) + "られる" (passive marker) = being made to do.
• Practice Conjugation Tables:
  • Regularly fill out verb conjugation tables to become familiar with patterns.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• Verbさせられる is used to express being made to do something by someone else.
• It combines the causative and passive forms.
• Conjugation differs between verb groups; pay attention to the verb class.
• Be mindful of the context, as it can imply reluctance or inconvenience.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you form the causative-passive form of a Group 2 verb like 食べる?
   • Answer: Remove -る and add -させられる → 食べさせられる.
2. Translate the sentence: 私は上司に出張に行かされました。
   • Answer: I was made to go on a business trip by my boss.
3. True or False: The causative-passive form can sometimes be shortened in spoken Japanese.
   • Answer: True. In colloquial speech, -せられる often becomes -される.

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Feel free to review this lesson and practice by creating your own sentences using Verbさせられる!

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