させる (saseru) vs させられる (saserareru)
What's the Difference?
Quick Answer
Use させる (saseru) to express making someone do something, and させられる (saserareru) to express being made to do something. The key difference lies in the direction of causation.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | させる (saseru) | させられる (saserareru) |
|---|---|---|
| JLPT | N3 | N3 |
| Formality | neutral | neutral |
| Causation | Expresses making someone do something | Expresses being made to do something |
| Subject | The person making someone do something | The person being made to do something |
| Tone | Can be used in a positive or negative tone | Often used in a negative tone to express being forced or obligated |
させる (saseru)
JLPT: N3 | Formality: neutral
- Causation: Expresses making someone do something
- Subject: The person making someone do something
- Tone: Can be used in a positive or negative tone
させられる (saserareru)
JLPT: N3 | Formality: neutral
- Causation: Expresses being made to do something
- Subject: The person being made to do something
- Tone: Often used in a negative tone to express being forced or obligated
Example Sentences
させる (saseru)
先生が学生に宿題をさせる
sensei ga gakusei ni shukudai o saseru
The teacher makes the student do homework
親が子供に野菜を食べさせる
oya ga kodomo ni yasai o tabe saseru
The parents make their child eat vegetables
社長が部下に報告書を提出させる
shachou ga buka ni houkoku sho o teishutsu saseru
The CEO makes the subordinate submit a report
させられる (saserareru)
先生に宿題をさせられる
sensei ni shukudai o saserareru
I am made to do homework by the teacher
親に野菜を食べさせられる
oya ni yasai o tabe saserareru
I am made to eat vegetables by my parents
社長に報告書を提出させられる
shachou ni houkoku sho o teishutsu saserareru
I am made to submit a report by the CEO
Common Mistakes
- ⚠ Using させる (saseru) when you mean to express being made to do something, resulting in a sentence that sounds like you are the one making someone do something.
- ⚠ Using させられる (saserareru) when you mean to express making someone do something, resulting in a sentence that sounds like you are being forced to do something.
- ⚠ Not understanding the difference in tone between the two, leading to incorrect usage in context.
Memory Tip
💡 Think of させる (saseru) as 'send' and させられる (saserareru) as 'receive': you send the action to someone (make them do it), or you receive the action (are made to do it).
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