This lesson explores the causative-passive form (使役受身), used to express being forced or coerced into doing something against one's will.
Context
Being Made to Do Things
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to do something you didn't want to do, simply because someone else told you to? In Japanese, there is a specific verb form that captures this feeling of being forced or coerced into an action.
Imagine your boss asks you to work overtime on a weekend, or a teacher makes you stay after class to clean the chalkboard. You aren't just doing the action; you are being 'made to' do it. This is the essence of the causative-passive form.
Explanation
The Causative-Passive Structure
The causative-passive (使役受身 - shieki ukemi) combines the causative (making someone do something) and the passive (receiving the action).
Verb
For Group 1 (u-verbs), you change the final 'u' to 'a', add 'se', and then add 'rareru'. For example, 'iku' (to go) becomes 'ikasareru' (to be forced to go). For Group 2 (ru-verbs), you replace 'ru' with 'saserareru'. For example, 'taberu' (to eat) becomes 'tabesaserareru' (to be forced to eat).
Tip
The causative-passive is often used to express a sense of reluctance or annoyance. It highlights that the subject had no choice in the matter.
Examples
Seeing it in Action
Here are examples of how this form is used in daily life.
私は母に野菜を食べさせられた。
I was made to eat vegetables by my mother.
私わたしI母ははmother野菜やさいvegetables食べさせられたたべさせられたwas forced to eat
部長に無理やり残業させられた。
I was forced to work overtime by the manager.
部長ぶちょうmanager無理やりむりやりforcedly残業させられたざんぎょうさせられたwas forced to work overtime
先生に長い作文を【書かされた】。
Hint: Causative-passive of 書く (kaku)
I was made to write a long essay by the teacher.
Usage
Nuance and Register
The causative-passive is inherently negative. It implies the speaker is a victim of the action.
Because this form sounds like you are complaining about being controlled, use it carefully. It is perfectly fine for talking about past hardships, but avoid using it to describe tasks you agreed to do willingly.
Which sentence sounds like a complaint about being forced?
先生に作文を書きました。
✓ 先生に作文を書かされました。
The causative-passive (書かされました) explicitly conveys that you were forced against your will.
Deep dive
Advanced Notes
A few special cases to keep in mind.
Shortened forms
In casual speech, the causative-passive is often shortened. For example, 'ikasareru' might become 'ikasareru' or even 'ikasareru' (though this is rare). More commonly, verbs ending in 'su' (like 'hanasu') might see the 'saserareru' part contracted to 'sareru' in very informal contexts, though it is safer to stick to the full form for N3.
Summary
Lesson Recap
The causative-passive allows you to express that you were forced to perform an action. Remember the conjugation rules: Group 1 (u -> a + saserareru) and Group 2 (ru -> saserareru). Use this form when you want to emphasize your lack of choice in a situation.