Passive & Causative Lesson 6
Mastering the causative-passive form (使役受身), used to express being forced or made to do something against one's will.
Feeling Forced
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to do something you didn't want to? Maybe your boss made you work overtime, or your teacher made you clean the classroom after school. In Japanese, there is a specific verb form to describe this feeling of being 'made to do' something.
きのうはぶちょうにおそくまでざんぎょうさせられました。
昨日は部長に遅くまで残業させられました。
Yesterday, I was made to work overtime by my manager.
The Causative-Passive Structure
The causative-passive (使役受身 - shieki ukemi) combines the causative form (making someone do) and the passive form (being done to). It is used when the speaker is the victim of an action forced upon them.
Tip
Examples in Context
Observe how the causative-passive highlights the speaker's lack of choice.
母に野菜を食べさせられました。
I was made to eat vegetables by my mother.
先生に長い作文を書かされました。
I was made to write a long essay by the teacher.
上司に無理やり仕事を【させられました】。
Hint: Causative-passive of する (to do)
I was forced to do work by my boss.
Nuance and Usage
The causative-passive is inherently negative. It implies that the action was unpleasant or unwanted.
Causative vs. Causative-Passive
食べさせる
To make someone eat (neutral/causative)
母は子供に野菜を食べさせる。
食べさせられる
To be made to eat (victim/passive)
私は母に野菜を食べさせられた。
Which sentence best expresses a feeling of being forced against one's will?
- 先生に本を読ませました。
- ✓ 先生に本を読まされました。
The second sentence uses the causative-passive form, which emphasizes that the speaker was forced to read the book.
Advanced Conjugation Notes
Some verbs have irregular causative-passive forms due to phonetic contraction.
Lesson Recap
The causative-passive form is essential for expressing situations where you were forced to perform an action. It combines the causative and passive forms to highlight the speaker's lack of agency.