させてもらいたい・
Use this pattern when you want permission to perform an action yourself. The version with the humble verb is more deferential and is common in meetings, applications, and formal statements.
How the pattern works
The causative form presents the action as something another person allows the speaker to do. もらいたい or いただきたい then expresses the speaker’s desire to receive that permission. The speaker is therefore the person who will perform the action.
A neutral request for permission
明日の会議では誰が説明しますか。
Who will give the explanation at tomorrow’s meeting?
Analyzeできれば、私に説明させてもらいたいです。
If possible, I’d like permission to give the explanation.
AnalyzeThe supervisor is clearly in a position to decide who speaks. 私に makes the intended doer explicit.
A deferential formal statement
本日は、調査結果についてご報告させていただきたいと思います。
Today, I would like to report on the results of the investigation.
AnalyzeIn a meeting or presentation, this is a deferential way to introduce the speaker’s planned report. と思います softens the statement further.
Desire that functions as a request
Grammatically, this pattern says what permission the speaker wants. In an appropriate situation, saying that desire to the person who can grant permission functions as a request. The deferential version is especially common in applications, business communication, meetings, and prepared remarks.
Desire for permission versus a direct request
させてもらいたい and させていただきたい present permission as something the speaker desires to receive. By contrast, させてください directly asks the listener to allow the action.
部長、この案は私に説明させてください。
Manager, please let me explain this proposal.
AnalyzeThis is the neighboring direct-request pattern, not the target pattern on this page.
More examples
この件については、まず私から話させてもらいたい。
On this matter, I’d like permission to speak first.
Analyze体調がよくないので、今日は早退させてもらいたいのですが。
I’m not feeling well, so I’d like permission to leave early today.
Analyze来月、研究室を見学させていただきたいのですが。
I would like to visit and observe the laboratory next month, if that would be possible.
Analyze可能であれば、次回の会議にも参加させていただきたいと考えております。
If possible, I would like to participate in the next meeting as well.
Analyzeご提供いただいた写真を広報誌に掲載させていただきたいのですが。
I would like permission to publish the photograph you provided in the newsletter.
Analyze最後に、今後の予定をご案内させていただきたいと思います。
Lastly, I would like to outline the schedule from here.
Analyze