Causative form
make or let (someone) do
Godan: a-row + せる (書かせる) · Ichidan: させる · させる · 来させる
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The causative says someone makes or lets someone else do something:
- godan verbs: a-row + せる: 書く → 書かせる, 行く → 行かせる
- ichidan verbs: させる: 食べる → 食べさせる
- する → させる, 来る → 来させる (こさせる)
Whether it's "make" or "let" comes from context: 母は弟に野菜を食べさせた is "made him eat his vegetables"; 子どもを公園で遊ばせた is "let the children play in the park".
The person who acts takes に when there's also an object (弟に野菜を), and usually を when there isn't (子どもを遊ばせる).
It also causes feelings: みんなを笑わせた, "made everyone laugh".
Examples
母は弟に野菜を食べさせました。
My mother made my little brother eat his vegetables.
先生は学生に作文を書かせました。
The teacher had the students write an essay.
週末は子どもを公園で遊ばせます。
At weekends I let the children play in the park.
部長は私を大阪へ行かせました。
My manager sent me to Osaka.
冗談を言って、みんなを笑わせた。
He told a joke and made everyone laugh.