Translation guide
In Japanese, the permissive voice (allowing or letting someone do something) is expressed through verb conjugations and auxiliary verbs, primarily using the causative form combined with giving/receiving verbs to indicate permission. The most common pattern is causative-te form + もらう/くれる/いただく/くださる, which conveys the sense of 'let/allow someone to do' with nuances of gratitude and social relationship.
Express that you are allowed to do something by someone, or that someone lets you do something, often implying a favor or permission granted.
This pattern is used when the speaker receives permission or is allowed to do something by someone else. It implies that the action is a favor and the speaker is grateful. The causative form of the verb is used, followed by もらう (to receive).
先生に質問させてもらいました。
I was allowed to ask the teacher a question (and I'm grateful).
今日は早く帰らせてもらいます。
I'll be allowed to go home early today (thank you).
A more polite version of もらう, used when the person granting permission is of higher status or in formal situations. It expresses deep gratitude and humility.
本日は休ませていただきます。
I will take the day off today (with your kind permission).
資料を見せていただけますか。
Could I be allowed to see the materials? (very polite request)
Used when someone lets you do something, focusing on the giver's action. It implies the giver is doing you a favor. Often used among equals or when the giver is of equal/lower status.
母が私に料理を作らせてくれた。
My mother let me cook (and I appreciate it).
友達が車を使わせてくれた。
My friend let me use his car.
The honorific version of くれる, used when the person granting permission is of higher status. It expresses respect and gratitude.
先生が私たちに意見を言わせてくださいました。
The teacher kindly allowed us to express our opinions.
Politely ask if you may do something, or request to be allowed to do something.
A polite way to ask for permission. Literally 'Can I receive the favor of being allowed to do ~?'. Suitable for most everyday situations.
ここで写真を撮らせてもらえますか。
May I take a photo here?
明日休ませてもらえますか。
Could I take tomorrow off?
A very polite and formal way to ask for permission, often used in business or when speaking to superiors.
こちらの資料を拝見させていただけますか。
May I have a look at these materials? (very polite)
A more casual way to ask for permission, used among friends or family. It can sound a bit direct if not careful.
ちょっとこれ使わせてくれる？
Can you let me use this for a bit?
A common, slightly less formal way to ask 'Is it okay if I do ~?'. It combines the causative-te form with もらう and いいですか.
窓を開けさせてもらっていいですか。
Is it okay if I open the window?
State that someone is allowed to do something, without necessarily emphasizing gratitude or a specific giver.
This pattern expresses the potential to receive permission. It means 'can be allowed to do' or 'is able to get permission to do'. It focuses on the possibility of receiving the favor.
この図書館では本を借りさせてもらえる。
At this library, you can borrow books (you are allowed to).
The negative potential form, meaning 'cannot be allowed to do' or 'not able to get permission'.
ここでは写真を撮らせてもらえない。
You are not allowed to take photos here.
When the context makes it clear, the causative-te form + くれる can simply mean 'let me do', without strong gratitude. It's more direct than もらう.
親が子供にゲームをやらせてくれる。
Parents let their children play games.
Say 'let me do ~' or 'allow me to do ~' in a direct, often self-directed or imperative way.
A polite request meaning 'Please let me do ~'. It's a direct way to ask for permission or to offer to do something.
私にやらせてください。
Please let me do it.
一言言わせてください。
Please let me say one thing.
A casual, sometimes blunt way to say 'Let me do ~'. Used among close friends or in informal situations. Can sound demanding.
それ、俺にやらせてくれ。
Let me do that.
Use the causative form of a verb by itself to indicate that someone allows or makes someone do something, often in a neutral or descriptive way.
The plain causative form can sometimes imply permission, especially when context makes it clear. However, it can also mean 'make/force someone to do', so it's ambiguous without additional context. Often used in written or formal descriptions.
Without もらう/くれる, the causative form can also mean 'make/force someone to do'. Context is crucial to distinguish permission from compulsion.
先生は生徒に自由に意見を言わせた。
The teacher let the students express their opinions freely.
親は子供を一人で旅行に行かせた。
The parents allowed their child to go on a trip alone.
In some cases, the potential form of a verb can imply permission, especially in rules or general statements.
The potential form primarily means 'can do' (ability), but in certain contexts it can mean 'is allowed to do'. This usage is common in rules, signs, or when stating what is permitted.
The potential form is more commonly used for ability. For clear permission, especially when a specific person grants it, use causative + もらう/くれる patterns.
ここで写真が撮れます。
You can take photos here. (permission)
この部屋は自由に使えます。
This room can be used freely. (permission)
Both もらう and くれる are used with the causative-te form to express permission, but they differ in perspective. もらう focuses on the receiver (the speaker) getting permission, while くれる focuses on the giver granting permission. もらう is more common in polite requests because it centers on the speaker's receiving action, which is more humble. くれる is often used when describing someone else's kind act of letting you do something.
先生に質問させてもらいました。
I received the favor of being allowed to ask the teacher a question.
先生が質問させてくれました。
The teacher kindly let me ask a question.
Using the causative form alone (e.g., 行かせる) can mean 'make someone go' rather than 'let someone go'. To clearly express permission, always add もらう or くれる unless the context unambiguously indicates permission. For example, 母は私を買い物に行かせた could mean 'My mother made me go shopping' or 'My mother let me go shopping' depending on context. To be safe, use 行かせてくれた for 'let me go'.
母は私を買い物に行かせた。
My mother made/let me go shopping. (ambiguous)
母は私を買い物に行かせてくれた。
My mother let me go shopping. (clear permission)
The pattern させていただく is extremely common in formal Japanese to humbly express that you are taking the liberty of doing something with someone's implicit permission. It's often used in business settings even when explicit permission isn't being asked, as a way to show politeness. For example, 発表させていただきます (I will now present) implies 'I am allowed to present' and is a standard humble expression.
それでは、発表させていただきます。
Now, I will begin my presentation (with your kind permission).
今日は早く帰らせてください。
Please let me go home early today.
上司が休みを取らせてくれました。
My boss allowed me to take a day off.
電話を使わせていただけますか。
May I use your phone?