Korean Grammar Point
~하게 하다 [hage hada] (Make someone do)

~하게 하다 [hage hada] (Make someone do)

Short explanation:

This grammar point is used when someone is making or letting someone else do something.

Formation:

Subject + (person who is made/let to do something) + Verb + ~하게 하다

Examples:

어머니는 저를 일찍 자게 했습니다.
Eomeonineun jeoreul iljjik jage haetsseumnida.
My mother made me go to bed early.
선생님은 우리를 많이 공부하게 했습니다.
Seonsaengnimeun urireul mani gongbu hage hatsseumnida.
The teacher made us study a lot.
재수없는 사고로 그는 그녀를 울게 했습니다.
Jaesueopsneun sago-ro geuneun geunyeoreul ulge haesseoyo.
Due to an unfortunate accident, he made her cry.
그녀는 남편을 행복하게 했습니다.
Geunyeoneun nampyeoneul haengbokhage haetsseumnida.
She made her husband happy.

Long explanation:

The ~하게 하다 [hage hada] structure is used to indicate that someone is causing another person to perform an action or is allowing another person to perform an action. The action verb is conjugated with ~하게, and the 하다 verb is used lastly to imply the action being caused or permitted. The subject of the sentence is the person who is causing or permitting the action, while the object of the sentence is the person who is being made to do the action.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: ~하게 하다 [hage hada] (Make someone do)

Korean Grammar Point: ~하게 하다 [hage hada] (Make someone do)

1. Introduction

The Korean grammar point ~하게 하다 [hage hada] is used to express the idea of making someone do something or causing someone to be in a certain state. It is an essential construction when you want to indicate that the subject induces or compels another person to perform an action.


2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

  • ~하게 하다 translates to "to make someone do" or "to have someone do" something.
  • It conveys a causative meaning, where the subject causes someone else to perform an action.

Structure

The structure involves attaching ~하게 하다 to the stem of a descriptive or action verb.

Formation Diagram

[Verb/Adjective Stem] + 하게 하다
  • Verb/Adjective Stem: The base form of the verb or adjective without the 다 ending.
  • 하게 하다: The causative suffix meaning "make someone do."

Breakdown

  1. Identify the Verb/Adjective Stem:
    • 먹다 (to eat) → 먹
    • 행복하다 (to be happy) → 행복하
  2. Add 하게 하다:
    • 먹 + 하게 하다 → 먹게 하다 (make someone eat)
    • 행복하 + 게 하다 → 행복하게 하다 (make someone happy)

3. Comparative Analysis

Similar Grammar Points

  • ~도록 하다: Also means "to make someone do," but often used to suggest or recommend an action.
    • Example: 일찍 자도록 해요. (Try to sleep early.)
  • ~게 만들다: Another causative form meaning "to make someone do" or "cause something to happen."
    • Example: 그 소식은 그녀를 울게 만들었어요. (The news made her cry.)

Differences

  • ~하게 하다 emphasizes direct causation by the subject.
  • ~게 만들다 can convey a broader causation, not necessarily direct.
  • ~도록 하다 is less forceful, often used for suggestions or indirect commands.

4. Examples in Context

Formal Situations

  1. 선생님은 학생들에게 책을 읽게 했습니다.
    • The teacher made the students read a book.
  2. 부장은 직원들에게 회의에 참석하게 했습니다.
    • The manager had the employees attend the meeting.

Informal Situations

  1. 엄마는 아이들에게 채소를 먹게 했어요.
    • Mom made the kids eat vegetables.
  2. 친구는 나를 기다리게 했어.
    • My friend made me wait.

Written Context

  1. 그의 노력은 회사를 성공하게 했다.
    • His efforts made the company successful.

Spoken Context

  1. 너가 나를 웃게 해.
    • You make me laugh.

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

  • In Korean culture, hierarchy and respect are important. Using causative forms can reflect relationships of authority or seniority.
  • ~하게 하다 is often used in contexts where someone of higher status is directing someone of lower status.

Levels of Politeness

  • 합니다 (Formal Polite)
    • 선생님은 학생들에게 숙제를 하게 합니다.
      • The teacher makes the students do homework.
  • 해요 (Informal Polite)
    • 부모님은 아이들을 일찍 자게 해요.
      • Parents make their children go to bed early.
  • (Casual)
    • 내가 너를 행복하게 해줄게.
      • I will make you happy.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • 웃게 하다: To make someone laugh.
  • 울게 하다: To make someone cry.
  • 생각하게 하다: To make someone think.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

  • Mistake: Confusing ~하게 하다 with just ~하다.
    • Incorrect: 선생님은 학생들에게 공부하다.
      • Teacher studies for the students.
    • Correct: 선생님은 학생들에게 공부하게 하다.
      • The teacher makes the students study.
  • Mistake: Misplacing the causative form.
    • Incorrect: 나는 저녁을 먹게 친구를 했다.
    • Correct: 나는 친구를 저녁을 먹게 했다.
      • I made my friend eat dinner.

Learning Strategies

  • Mnemonic Device: Remember that 하게 하다 involves two verbs, indicating a causative action.
  • Tip: Practice by taking verbs you know and forming sentences where someone is making someone else perform that action.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • ~하게 하다 is used to express making or causing someone to do something.
  • It is formed by attaching 하게 하다 to the verb or adjective stem.
  • Understanding the context and levels of politeness is crucial when using this grammar point.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. How do you say "The coach made the players run" using ~하게 하다?
    • Answer: 코치는 선수들을 뛰게 했습니다.
  2. What is the difference between ~하게 하다 and ~게 만들다?
    • Answer: ~하게 하다 implies direct causation by the subject, while ~게 만들다 can be used for indirect causation.
  3. Fix the error in the sentence: 부모님은 나를 숙제를 하다.
    • Corrected Sentence: 부모님은 나를 숙제하게 하셨다.
      • My parents made me do homework.

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