N4#causative-passive#verbs#dialogue#grammar

N4 Integrated Dialogue Lesson 1

This lesson introduces the causative-passive form, a staple of N4-level intermediate storytelling and dialogue.

Context

A Busy Day at the Office

In Japanese, we often need to express that we were made to do something against our will or due to external pressure. Imagine you are at work, and your boss asks you to work overtime. You want to explain that you were 'made to work' by your boss.

In daily life, situations arise where we report on tasks we were forced to do. This specific grammatical structure allows you to convey that sense of obligation or external pressure clearly.

Explanation

The Causative-Passive Form

The causative-passive form (～させられる) is used to express that someone was made to do something. It combines the causative (to make someone do) and the passive (to be done to).

させられる

For Group 1 verbs, change the final 'u' to 'a', add 'serareru'. For Group 2 verbs, remove 'ru' and add 'saserareru'. For irregular verbs, 'suru' becomes 'saserareru' and 'kuru' becomes 'kosaserareru'.

Watch out

Be careful with the length of these verbs! They are quite long and can sound repetitive if used too frequently in a single sentence.

Examples

Seeing it in Action

Here are examples of how to use the causative-passive form in natural conversation.

私(わたし)は部長(ぶちょう)に働かされました(はたらかされました)。

I was made to work by the manager.

私わたしI部長ぶちょうmanager働かされましたはたらかされましたwas made to work

母(はは)に野菜(やさい)を食べさせられました(たべさせられました)。

I was made to eat vegetables by my mother.

母ははmother野菜やさいvegetables食べさせられましたたべさせられましたwas made to eat

先生に宿題を【させられました】。

Hint: The causative-passive form of 'suru' (to do).

I was made to do homework by the teacher.

Usage

Nuance and Register

The causative-passive is inherently negative. It implies the speaker did not want to perform the action.

Causative vs Causative-Passive

〜させる

To make someone do (causative)

部長が私を働かせる

〜させられる

To be made to do (causative-passive)

私は部長に働かされる

Which sentence sounds more like a complaint about being forced to do something?

私は宿題をしました。
✓ 私は宿題をさせられました。

The causative-passive form explicitly adds the nuance of being forced against one's will.

Deep dive

Contracted Forms

In casual spoken Japanese, the causative-passive is often shortened.

Common Contractions

In fast speech, 'saserareru' often becomes 'sasareru'. For example, 'tabesaserareta' might be heard as 'tabesasareta'. This is common in casual conversation but should be avoided in formal writing.

Summary

Recap

The causative-passive form is essential for expressing that you were forced into an action. Remember to use the particle 'ni' to indicate the person who forced you.

部長

ぶちょうnoun

department manager

働かされる

はたらかされるverb

to be made to work

食べさせられる

たべさせられるverb

to be made to eat

宿題

しゅくだいnoun

homework