書かせる・
The causative form adds someone who makes, has, lets, or otherwise causes another person to perform an action or enter a state. The form itself does not decide between “make” and “let”; context does.
Who does what?
The original subject of the base verb becomes the person who is caused or allowed to act. A new person or thing is presented as causing that action. Depending on the situation, natural English may use “make,” “have,” “let,” “allow,” or simply a causative verb such as “reassure.”
Making and allowing
The first sentence clearly describes direction or control; the second clearly describes permission.
Marking the person who acts
Swipe sideways to compare every column.
| Situation | Basic pattern | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Many intransitive verbs | Causer + は + person acting + を + causative verb | Use this as the beginner baseline when the base verb has no direct object. |
| Transitive verbs | Causer + は + person acting + に + object + を + causative verb | The original object keeps its object marker. |
| Permission | Person allowed to act + に | Permission often favors this marker even with an intransitive verb. |
| A route already marked as an object | Person acting + に + route + を | This avoids assigning the same marker to both the person and the route. |
The intransitive-versus-transitive rule is a useful starting point, not an absolute rule.
The basic particle patterns
Causing a feeling or reaction
The causative is also natural when something causes a person to cry, laugh, worry, or feel relieved. Common combinations include 泣かせる, 笑わせる, 心配させる, and 安心させる.
その知らせは家族を安心させました。
The news reassured the family.
AnalyzeMore examples
監督は選手を一時間休ませました。
The coach had the players rest for an hour.
Analyze店長は新人にレジの使い方を覚えさせた。
The manager made the new employee learn how to use the register.
Analyze試験が終わったので、今日は娘に昼まで寝させました。
Because her exams were over, I let my daughter sleep until noon today.
Analyzeその映画は多くの観客を泣かせた。
The film made many viewers cry.
Analyze兄は変な顔をして、赤ちゃんを笑わせた。
My older brother made a funny face and made the baby laugh.
Analyze会議では全員に意見を言わせました。
At the meeting, I had everyone give their opinion.
Analyze