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

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

1. Introduction

In Japanese, the causative-passive form represented by ～させられる (~saserareru) is used to express situations where someone is made to do something by someone else. This form combines the meanings of the causative (making or letting someone do something) and the passive (being acted upon) voices.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The ～させられる form conveys that the subject is compelled or forced to perform an action by someone else. It often carries a nuance of unwillingness or lack of control over the action.

Structure

To form the causative-passive, you need to modify verbs according to their group:

Verb Groups:

1. Group 1 Verbs (Godan verbs): Verbs ending with a consonant before る.
2. Group 2 Verbs (Ichidan verbs): Verbs ending with a vowel before る.
3. Irregular Verbs: する and 来る.

Formation Diagram

Group 1 Verbs (Godan verbs)

1. Change the u-ending to a-ending (e.g., 書く → 書か).
2. Add せられる. Example:

• 書く (kaku) → 書かせられる (kakaserareru) Alternatively, there's a shorter form often used in spoken Japanese:

1. Change the u-ending to a-ending.
2. Add される. Example:

• 書く (kaku) → 書かされる (kakasareru)

Group 2 Verbs (Ichidan verbs)

1. Remove る.
2. Add させられる. Example:

• 食べる (taberu) → 食べさせられる (tabesaserareru)

Irregular Verbs

• する → させられる (saserareru)
• 来る → 来させられる (kosaserareru)

Visual Aid: Formation Table

Verb Type	Dictionary Form	Causative-Passive Form
Group 1	読む (yomu)	読まされる / 読ませられる (yomasareru / yomaserareru)
Group 2	見る (miru)	見させられる (misaserareru)
Irregular	する (suru)	させられる (saserareru)
	来る (kuru)	来させられる (kosaserareru)

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3. Comparative Analysis

Passive vs. Causative vs. Causative-Passive

• Passive Form (~られる/〜れる):
  • Usage: Someone is acted upon by someone else.
  • Example:
    • 先生に叱られた。
      I was scolded by the teacher.
• Causative Form (~させる/〜せる):
  • Usage: Someone makes or lets someone else do something.
  • Example:
    • 子どもに野菜を食べさせる。
      I make my child eat vegetables.
• Causative-Passive Form (~させられる):
  • Usage: Someone is made to do something by someone else (often against their will).
  • Example:
    • 部長に残業させられた。
      I was made to work overtime by the department manager.

Nuance Differences

• The causative-passive form emphasizes the subject's lack of control or reluctance, whereas the causative form may simply indicate permission or causation without the unwilling nuance.

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4. Examples in Context

Formal Context

1. 会議に参加させられました。
   I was compelled to participate in the meeting.
2. 苦手な仕事を任せられました。
   I was assigned a task I'm not good at.

Informal Context

1. 兄に宿題を手伝わされる。
   I'm made to help my brother with his homework.
2. 毎日ジョギングさせられてる。
   I'm being made to jog every day.

Written Context

1. 彼は上司に無理な要求をさせられたと訴えた。
   He complained that he was forced to make unreasonable demands by his boss.

Spoken Context

1. こんなに食べさせられて、もうお腹いっぱい。
   I've been made to eat so much; I'm already full.
2. 昨日は親に掃除をさせられたんだ。
   Yesterday, my parents made me clean up.

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5. Cultural Notes

Social Hierarchy and Obligations

In Japanese culture, there is a strong sense of hierarchy and obligation, especially in workplaces and familial relationships. The causative-passive form often reflects situations where subordinates or younger individuals are compelled by superiors or elders to perform tasks.

Politeness Levels

Using the causative-passive form can imply a subtle complaint or expression of inconvenience, so it's important to be aware of social contexts when using it.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 嫌なことをさせられる
  To be made to do something unpleasant.
• 待たされる
  To be kept waiting.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Confusing Passive and Causative-Passive Forms
   • Incorrect: 上司に残業された。
     (The boss worked overtime.)
   • Correct: 上司に残業させられた。
     (I was made to work overtime by the boss.)
2. Using the Incorrect Verb Form
   • Incorrect: 食べる → 食べらせる
   • Correct: 食べる → 食べさせられる

Tips

• Mnemonic Device: Remember that させられる combines させる (causative) and られる (passive). Think of it as being caused (させ) to be acted upon (られる).
• Shortened Forms: In casual speech, させられる can become さす or される for Group 1 verbs.
  • Example: 書かせられる → 書かされる

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～させられる is used to express being made to do something by someone else.
• It combines causative and passive forms.
• It often implies the action is done unwillingly.
• Formation varies between verb groups.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you form the causative-passive form of a Group 2 verb?
2. Translate the following sentence:
   母に野菜を食べさせられた。
3. What nuance does the causative-passive form convey that the causative form alone does not?

Answers:

1. Remove る from the dictionary form and add させられる.
2. I was made to eat vegetables by my mother.
3. It conveys that the subject was made to do something, often unwillingly or without control over the action.

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By understanding the ～させられる form, you can express complex situations involving obligation and compulsion, which are common in daily interactions in Japanese society.

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