させてもらう・
Someone lets you do something, and you take it as a favor: "they let me", "I was allowed to". させていただく is the humble version, heard all day in shops and offices.
they let me
My father let me use his old camera.
asking
May I use this photo in the report?
How to form it
(person に) + Verb in the causative て-form + もらう／いただく
You do it, or your side does. The one who lets you takes に.
Godan verbs (う-verbs)
帰る → 帰らせてもらう 休む → 休ませてもらう 使う → 使わせてもらう
Last kana to its あ sound (う to わ), then せて. Not 休まさせて: the extra さ is often heard, and counted as a mistake.
Ichidan verbs (る-verbs)
考える → 考えさせてもらう
る becomes させて.
The two irregular verbs
する → させてもらう 来る → 来させてもらう
説明する → 説明させてもらう.
You do it, and they let you
With plain てもらう the other person does it. With させ in front, you do it, with their go-ahead.
I had the salesclerk take a photo for me.
They took it.
The salesclerk let me take a photo.
You took it.
It fits wherever someone had the say and said yes: a parent, a boss, a host.
Over summer vacation, my uncle let me work in his shop.
I'm not feeling well today, so I'm going to leave a little early.
An announcement: the yes is taken for granted.
させていただく: the humble one
To a customer, a boss or an audience, もらう becomes いただく. させていただきます announces what you or your company will do, as if they had kindly agreed. As a question, させていただけますか, it really does ask.
Because of an equipment inspection, reception will close at 4 p.m. today.
Today I will be giving the explanation in place of the person in charge.
With my professor's permission, I used the materials in the lab.
It is overused
Many people now put させていただきます on any verb to sound polite, and Japanese speakers complain about it. It fits when someone really lets you, or when what you do puts the other person out: closing early, taking a day off. With no permission or favor in it, it sounds wrong, and the plain polite verb is enough.
Sounds odd: 私は
I graduated from college last year.
Nobody you are talking to let you graduate: 卒業しました.
Wanting it: させてもらいたい, させてほしい
With たい or ほしい on the end, you are asking to be allowed to. The one you are asking goes unsaid, and 私に is the one who would do it: "let me".
させてもらいたいI'd like to be allowed to
I'm not feeling well, so I'd like to leave early today.
させていただきたいthe same, humble
I would like to visit the laboratory next month, if I may.
させてほしいI'd like you to let me
If possible, I'd like you to let me chair the next meeting.
Direct: for friends, family and colleagues.
Close neighbours
ていただくN4
Without させ, the other person does it.
At tomorrow's meeting, we'll have the department manager explain first.
Without させ, you would like the other person to do it.
I would like you to look at this document.
Check yourself
1What does this mean?
姉に
Choose an answer to see why.
2A shop puts this on its door. Why させていただきます?
本日は
Choose an answer to see why.
3Which one is the standard form?
荷物を
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
させてくれる
The same favor, starting from the one who let you.
My parents let me study abroad.
言わせてもらうけど
People say it before speaking their mind: "if I may say so".
If I may say so, I don't think that plan will work.
More sentences
While I was studying abroad, my host family let me use the kitchen.
I got to sing a song at the local event.
The manager is letting me try out a new project.
Due to circumstances, there will be no broadcast next week.
I have the department manager's permission, so I will join tomorrow's meeting online.
I'd like you to let me rest a little today.
In the next match, I'd like you to let my little brother play to the end too.
If possible, I would like to take part in the next meeting as well.