Welcome to Level 2, Lesson 11!
In this advanced N4 lesson at gokigen japanese blog, you will delve into some of the more complex yet essential verb forms in Japanese: commands, causative expressions, and the causative-passive. Mastering these will significantly enhance your ability to express influence, give instructions, and describe situations where actions are compelled or permitted.
The main goals of this lesson are to enable you to express commands, causation, and causative-passive.
Key grammar patterns and expressions you will master in this lesson include:
- Commands & Instructions (~なさい / Imperative Form): Learn the various nuances of giving orders. The V(stem) + なさい (nasai) form is a relatively soft command, often used by parents to children or teachers to students, suggesting advice or a gentle instruction (e.g., 早く寝なさい – Go to sleep quickly). The imperative form (命令形, *meireikei*) is a strong, direct command, typically used in emergencies, by men to subordinates, or when expressing strong disapproval (e.g., 走れ！ – Run!).
- Causative Form (V-せる / させる): Discover how to construct and use the causative form to express making someone do an action or letting someone do an action. Group 1 verbs attach -せる (seru), while Group 2 and irregular verbs attach -させる (saseru) (e.g., 子供に野菜を食べさせる – to make the child eat vegetables; 友達にゲームをさせない – not to let a friend play games).
- Causative Sentences with あげる / くれる / もらう: Understand how combining the causative form with giving/receiving verbs adds intricate nuances of favor or permission:
- 〜させてあげる: to let someone do ~ (as a favor from you)
- 〜させてくれる: to let me do ~ (as a favor from someone else to you/us)
- 〜させてもらう: to be allowed/given permission to do ~ (receiving permission from someone)
(e.g., 弟に好きなように遊ばせてあげた – I let my younger brother play as he liked; 先生が私に質問させてくれた – The teacher let me ask a question; 部長に会議に参加させてもらいました – I was allowed to participate in the meeting by the manager.)
- Causative-Passive Form (V-される / させられる): Master this advanced form, which indicates that someone is forced or made to do something unwillingly by another. It is a combination of causative and passive forms. Group 1 causative verbs become -される, while Group 2 and irregular causative verbs become -させられる (e.g., 先生に毎日宿題をさせられます – I am made to do homework every day by my teacher; 親に医者にならさせられた – I was made to become a doctor by my parents).
- Causative-Passive Sentence Structure ((Forcee) は (Forcer) に V-される / させられる): Understand the sentence structure where the “forcee” (the person who is forced) is the subject, and the “forcer” (the one who forces) is marked with に (ni).
By the end of Lesson 11, Level 2, you’ll be able to confidently give various types of commands, express actions you cause others to do, or describe situations where you are compelled to act. These forms are indispensable for navigating complex interpersonal dynamics and expressing nuanced intentions in Japanese!
Explore the articles linked below to master commands, causative, and causative-passive forms in Japanese!
