B1 Advanced Verbs 11 min read Hard

Japanese Causative-Passive: 'I was made to do it' (~させられる)

Use ~させられる to express that you were coerced into performing an action against your will or preference.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

The causative-passive form expresses that you were forced or coerced into doing an action you didn't want to do.

  • For Godan verbs: Change the final 'u' to 'a', add 'serareru' (e.g., {書く|かく} -> {書かされる|かかされる}).
  • For Ichidan verbs: Drop 'ru', add 'saserareru' (e.g., {食べる|たべる} -> {食べさせられる|たべさせられる}).
  • Irregular verbs: {来る|くる} becomes {来させられる|こさせられる} and {する} becomes {させられる}.
Subject + は + (Agent) + に + Verb(Causative-Passive)

Overview

The Japanese causative-passive voice, expressed by the verb ending ~させられる (saserareru), is a sophisticated grammatical structure that conveys the experience of being compelled to perform an action against one's will. It is the definitive way to say, "I was made to do something." This form merges the causative (~させる, to make/let someone do) and the passive (~られる, to be done to), creating a nuanced voice where you are the actor, but the impetus for the action comes from an external source. Mastering it is essential at the B2 level for expressing complex social dynamics, obligations, and internal feelings about external pressures.

Linguistically, Japanese grammar places a high value on clearly defining agency—who is doing what, and why. The causative-passive allows a speaker to remain the grammatical subject (the one performing the action) while explicitly attributing the cause of that action to an external coercer. This is vital for navigating social hierarchies and expressing personal sentiments about duties without direct confrontation.

The structure simultaneously answers two questions: "Who is acting?" (私 / I am) and "Who is responsible for the action being initiated?" (上司 / The boss is).

The core feeling is a lack of autonomy. Whether you're describing being forced by a boss to work late, made by a parent to eat vegetables, or even being moved to tears by a film, the causative-passive frames you as the unwilling or involuntary recipient of a directive to act. It distinguishes between simply doing something (する) and doing it under duress (させられる).

Conjugation Table

Verb Group Dictionary Form Causative Stem Causative-Passive (Long) Causative-Passive (Short - Godan Only)
:--- :--- :--- :--- :---
Godan (Group 1) `{書 か}く` (kaku) `{書 か}かせる` (kakaseru) `{書 か}かさせられる` (kakasaserareru) `{書 か}かされる` (kakasareru)
`{飲 の}む` (nomu) `{飲 の}ませる` (nomaseru) `{飲 の}ませられる` (nomasaserareru) `{飲 の}まされる` (nomasareru)
`{待 ま}つ` (matsu) `{待 ま}たせる` (mataseru) `{待 ま}たさせられる` (matasaserareru) `{待 ま}たされる` (matasareru)
`{話 はな}す` (hanasu) `{話 はな}させる` (hanasaseru) `{話 はな}させられる` (hanasaserareru) Ambiguous, Avoided
Ichidan (Group 2) `{食 た}べる` (taberu) `{食 た}べさせる` (tabesaseru) `{食 た}べさせられる` (tabesaserareru) (No short form)
`{見 み}る` (miru) `{見 み}させる` (misaseru) `{見 み}させられる` (misaserareru) (No short form)
Irregular する (suru) させる (saseru) させられる (saserareru) (No short form)
`{来 く}る` (kuru) `{来 こ}させる` (kosaseru) `{来 こ}させられる` (kosaserareru) (No short form)
Critical Note on Godan ~す Verbs: For Godan verbs ending in ~す, like {話 はな}す (hanasu), the short form 話される is identical to the simple passive voice. {話 はな}される is almost always interpreted as "to be spoken about," not "to be made to speak." To prevent this critical ambiguity, you must always use the long form ~させられる for Godan verbs ending in ~す. For example, スピーチで{話 はな}させられた is clear, while 話された is not.

How This Grammar Works

The causative-passive organizes a sentence from the perspective of the person who was forced to act. This person becomes the topic or subject of the sentence, even though they did not initiate the action.
The fundamental structure is:
[Coerced Actor] は/が [Coercer] に [Object を] [Verb in Causative-Passive Form]
The Coerced Actor (You): Marked by は or が. This is the person performing the action under duress. 私{わたし}は… (As for me...).
The Coercer: Marked by に. This is the person, organization, or abstract force applying pressure. The use of に here is logical, as it's the same particle used to mark the agent in the standard passive voice. 母{はは}に… (by my mother), 先生{せんせい}に… (by the teacher).
The Action: The verb conjugated into ~させられる or its short form ~される.
Consider the shift in agency:
  • Active Voice: 私{わたし}が{野菜{やさい}を食(た)べる。 (I eat vegetables.) This is a simple statement of an action I perform by my own choice.
  • Causative-Passive Voice: 私{わたし}は{母{はは}に{野菜{やさい}を食(た)べさせられた。 (I was made to eat vegetables by my mother.) Here, I still perform the act of eating, but the sentence structure clarifies that my mother was the causal agent.
This pattern applies equally to intransitive verbs (verbs that do not take a direct object). The logic of coercion remains identical. The coercer compels the subject to perform the intransitive action.
  • Example (Intransitive): 昨日{きのう}、{部長{ぶちょう}に{大阪{おおさか}へ{出張{しゅっちょう}させられた。 (Yesterday, I was made to go on a business trip to Osaka by the department head.) The action of 'going on a business trip' is performed by me, but initiated by the boss.

Formation Pattern

1
To correctly form the causative-passive, you must internalize a two-step mechanical process. This logic applies to all verbs.
2
Step 1: Create the Causative Stem
3
First, convert the dictionary form of the verb into its causative form (to make/let do). The rule varies by verb group.
4
Godan (Group 1) Verbs: Change the final u-vowel sound to the corresponding a-vowel sound, then add せる.
5
書(か)く (kaku) → kaka + seru → 書(か)かせる (kakaseru)
6
飲(の)む (nomu) → noma + seru → 飲(の)ませる (nomaseru)
7
買(か)う (kau) → kawa + seru → 買(か)わせる (kawaseru). Note: The vowel う (u) changes to わ (wa).
8
Ichidan (Group 2) Verbs: Remove the final ~る and add させる.
9
食(た)べる (taberu) → tabe + saseru → 食(た)べさせる (tabesaseru)
10
Irregular Verbs: These are memorized.
11
する (suru) → させる (saseru)
12
来(く)る (kuru) → 来(こ)させる (kosaseru)
13
Step 2: Make the Causative Stem Passive
14
The result from Step 1 is always an Ichidan-like verb ending in ~る. Now, apply the standard passive conjugation rule: remove the final ~る and add られる.
15
Godan Verb Example: 書(か)かせる (kakaseru) → kakase + rareru → 書(か)かさせられる (kakasaserareru)
16
Ichidan Verb Example: 食(た)べさせる (tabesaseru) → tabesase + rareru → 食(た)べさせられる (tabesaserareru)
17
Step 3 (Contraction for Godan Verbs Only)
18
For Godan verbs, the long ~させられる form is phonetically cumbersome. In natural speech, it is almost always contracted to ~される.
19
書(か)かさせられる (kakasaserareru) contracts to 書(か)かされる (kakasareru).
20
待(ま)たさせられる (matasaserareru) contracts to 待(ま)たされる (matasareru).

When To Use It

The causative-passive is deployed in specific contexts to highlight involuntary action and shift responsibility. Its usage is a strong indicator of the speaker's perspective.
  • To Express Direct Coercion and Burden: This is the most common use. A specific person forces you to do something, and the tone is often one of complaint, frustration, or resignation.
  • 子{こ}どもの{頃{ころ}、{母{はは}に{嫌{いや}いなピーマンを食(た)べさせられた。 (When I was a child, I was made to eat green peppers, which I dislike, by my mother.)
  • また{先輩{せんぱい}に{面倒{めんどう}な{仕事{しごと}をやらされたよ。 (I was made to do a troublesome task by my senior again.) The verb やる becomes やらされる.
  • To Describe Situational or Social Pressure: The coercer is not always a person. It can be a situation, a rule, or a social atmosphere that compels an action. The agent marked by に can be abstract.
  • {雰囲気{ふんいき}に{飲{の}まれて}、{断{ことわ}れなくて、カラオケで{一曲{いっきょく}だけ{歌{うた}わされた。 (I was overwhelmed by the atmosphere and couldn't refuse, so I was made to sing just one song at karaoke.)
  • {会社{かいしゃ}の{規則{きそく}により、{全員{ぜんいん}がこの{研修{けんしゅう}を{受{う}けさせられることになっている。 (Due to company regulations, everyone is made to take this training.)
  • To Convey Involuntary Emotional or Physical Reactions: This powerful usage describes an external stimulus (like a film, book, or piece of music) that metaphorically 'forces' an emotional or physical response. The coercion is not literal, but the resulting feeling is genuine and powerful.
  • この{小説{しょうせつ}を{読{よ}んで、{色々{いろいろ}と{考{かんが}えさせられた。 (Reading this novel made me think about various things / I was made to think deeply by this novel.)
  • 彼{かれ}の{話{はなし}には{いつも{感心{かんしん}させられる。 (I am always made to feel impressed by his stories.)

Common Mistakes

Learners must avoid several common pitfalls to use this structure accurately. The primary challenge is distinguishing it from related passive and causative forms.
  1. 1Confusing with Simple Passive (~られる): This is the most frequent and critical error. The simple passive means an action is done to you. The causative-passive means you were forced to do an action yourself.
| Form | Example | Meaning Analysis |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Simple Passive | 先生{せんせい}に{叱{しか}られた。 (shikarareta) | I was scolded by the teacher. (The act of scolding was done to me.) |
| Causative-Passive | 先生{せんせい}に{反省文{はんせいぶん}を{書{か}かされた。 (kakasareta) | I was made to write a reflection paper by the teacher. (The act of writing was done by me.) |
| Simple Passive | {犬{いぬ}に{噛{か}まれた。 (kamareta) | I was bitten by a dog. (Action done to me.) |
| Causative-Passive| 兄{あに}に{犬{いぬ}の{散歩{さんぽ}をさせられた。 (sanpo o saserareta) | I was made to walk the dog by my older brother. (Action done by me.) |
  1. 1Using the Short Form for Ichidan Verbs: The contraction to ~される is an exclusive feature of Godan verbs. Applying it to Ichidan or irregular verbs is a common mistake.
  • Incorrect: 母{はは}に{野菜{やさい}を食(た)べされた。 (tabesareta)
  • Correct: 母{はは}に{野菜{やさい}を食(た)べさせられた。 (tabesaserareta)
  1. 1Forgetting the ~す Verb Exception: As noted, the short form of Godan verbs ending in ~す (like 話(はな)す) is identical to the simple passive. This creates ambiguity that native speakers avoid by using the long form.
  • Ambiguous: {部長{ぶちょう}に{新{あたら}しいプロジェクトについて{話{はな}された。 (hanasareta). This will almost certainly be interpreted as the simple passive: "The department head spoke about the new project (to me)."
  • Clear: {部長{ぶちょう}に{新{あたら}しいプロジェクトについて{話{はな}させられた。 (hanasaserareta). This unambiguously means, "I was made to talk about the new project by the department head."

Contrast With Similar Patterns

At the B2 level, distinguishing ~させられる from other expressions of obligation is crucial. The nuance lies in the source of the pressure and the speaker's emotional stance.
| Grammar Pattern | Nuance | Example |
|:---|:---|:---|
| ~させられる | Coercion from an external agent. Emphasizes an unwilling action forced by a specific person or entity. The focus is on the lack of personal agency and the feeling of being burdened.
| 上司{じょうし}に{休日出勤{きゅうじつしゅっきん}させられた。 (I was made to work on a holiday by my boss.) - Conveys blame and complaint. |
| ~なければならない / ~ないといけない | General obligation or necessity. Can be due to rules, logic, or personal conviction. It is less about blaming an agent and more about stating a required action.
It feels objective and factual. | 明日{あした}は{試験{しけん}だから、{勉強{べんきょう}しなければならない。 (There's a test tomorrow, so I must study.) - A neutral statement of necessity.
|
| ~する{羽目{はめ}になった | Unfortunate, unexpected consequence. Implies ending up in a bad situation, often due to a chain of events, not direct coercion by a single agent. The focus is on the negative outcome.
| {電車{でんしゃ}が{遅{おく}れて}、{一時間{いちじかん}も{待{ま}つ{羽目{はめ}になった。 (The train was late, and I ended up in the unfortunate situation of having to wait for an hour.) |
Consider the difference: {休日出勤{きゅうじつしゅっきん}しなければならなかった simply means "I had to work on a holiday," a neutral statement. In contrast, {休日出勤{きゅうじつしゅっきん}させられた strongly implies, "My boss made me work," carrying a clear tone of grievance.

Real Conversations

The following shows how ~させられる appears in natural contexts, from spoken conversation to social media.

S

Scenario 1

Complaining about work after hours
A

A

{山田{やまだ}さん、{元気{げんき}ないね。どうしたの？ (Yamada-san, you seem down. What's wrong?)
B

B

昨日{きのう}、{部長{ぶちょう}に{飲{の}みに{連{つ}れて{行{い}かれて}… {夜中{よなか}まで{付{つ}き{合{あ}わされたんだ。 (Yesterday, the department head took me out for drinks... and I was made to accompany him until the middle of the night.)

Note: 付き合わされた is the short causative-passive of 付き合う, a very common phrase for being forced to tag along socially.*

S

Scenario 2

A friend discussing a powerful film
A

A

{週末{しゅうまつ}、あの{戦争{せんそう}のドキュメンタリーを{見{み}たんだ。 (I watched that war documentary this weekend.)
B

B

あ、そうなんだ。{色々{いろいろ}と考えさせられるよね、ああいうのは。 (Oh, you did? That kind of thing really makes you think, doesn't it?)

Here, 考えさせられる is used to express a shared, profound reaction prompted by the film. The lack of a specific agent (like に) makes it a general statement.*

S

Scenario 3

A post on social media (e.g., X/Twitter)

今日の会議、急に「最近読んだ本について3分で話してください」とか言われて、全然準備してなかったのに話させられた…。心臓に悪い。#仕事 #愚痴

(In today's meeting, I was suddenly told "Please speak for 3 minutes about a book you've recently read," and even though I wasn't prepared at all, I was made to speak... That's bad for my heart. #work #complaint)

This shows a typical use of the causative-passive to vent frustration in a casual, written context.*

Progressive Practice

1

Work through these exercises to solidify your understanding of the form and its usage.

2

Conjugation Practice: Convert the following verbs into the long causative-passive (~させられる) and, if applicable, the short form (~される).

3

読(よ)む (yomu)

4

立(た)つ (tatsu)

5

{調{しら}べる (shiraberu)

6

{持{も}ってくる (mottekuru)

7

手伝(てつだ)う (tetsudau)

8

Fill in the Blank: Choose the most appropriate form (simple passive, simple causative, or causative-passive) for the context.

9

子供{こども}の{時{とき}、{ピアノを____________。({習{なら}う) (When I was a child, I was made to learn piano.)

10

{道{みち}で{知{し}らない{人{ひと}に{肩{かた}を____________。({叩{たた}く) (On the street, I was tapped on the shoulder by a stranger.)

11

{母{はは}は{妹{いもうと}に{部屋{へや}を____________。({掃除{そうじ}する) (The mother makes the little sister clean the room.)

12

Sentence Translation: Translate the following sentences into natural-sounding Japanese.

13

My teacher made me memorize 50 kanji characters for the test.

14

That documentary really made me think about environmental problems.

15

I was made to wait for over an hour in the rain by my friend.

(Answers: 1. 読ませられる/読まされる, 立たせられる/立たされる, 調べさせられる, 持ってこさせられる, 手伝わせられる/手伝わされる | 2. 習わされた (narawasareta), 叩かれた (tatakareta), 掃除させる (souji saseru) | 3. 先生にテストのために漢字を50字も覚えさせられた。, そのドキュメンタリーを見て、環境問題について深く考えさせられた。, 友達に雨の中、一時間以上も待たされた。)

Quick FAQ

Is the causative-passive always negative?
No. While it most often expresses a burden or complaint (e.g., 残業させられた - was made to work overtime), it is also the standard way to describe powerful, externally-triggered positive emotions. 感動させられた (was made to feel moved) and 感心させられた (was made to feel impressed) are common and positive examples.
Can I use から instead of に to mark the coercer?
This is not standard and is very rare. The particle に is the correct grammatical choice to mark the agent of coercion in this structure. Using から might be understood in some contexts to imply a more indirect source, but に is the overwhelmingly conventional and natural particle.
What's the difference between 待たされた and 待たせられた?
There is no difference in meaning. 待たされた (matasareta) is the common, contracted short form of 待たせられた (mataserareta). Both mean "I was made to wait." In spoken Japanese and informal writing, the short form is far more frequent for Godan verbs.
Is this form used in polite (keigo) situations?
Yes, but it requires social awareness. Using it to a superior can sound accusatory. Telling your boss, 部長に残業させられました, is grammatically perfect but confrontational.
It is more appropriately used when speaking about a superior to a third party. A superior might use it to humbly show they were compelled by an even higher authority, such as a client: お客様に言われまして、部下にもそのようにさせました。 (I was told by the client, so I had my subordinate do so as well.)

Causative-Passive Conjugation Table

Verb Type Dictionary Form Causative-Passive
Godan
書く (kaku)
書かさせられる (kakasaserareru)
Godan
飲む (nomu)
飲まさせられる (nomasaserareru)
Ichidan
食べる (taberu)
食べさせられる (tabesaserareru)
Ichidan
見る (miru)
見させられる (misesareru)
Irregular
する (suru)
させられる (saserareru)
Irregular
来る (kuru)
来させられる (kosesareru)

Common Contractions

Full Form Contracted Form
書かさせられる
書かされる (kakasareru)
飲まさせられる
飲まされる (nomasareru)

Meanings

This form combines the causative (making someone do something) and the passive (being acted upon). It describes a situation where the speaker is forced to perform an action against their will.

1

Forced Action

Being compelled to do something by an authority or peer.

“{先生|せんせい}に{宿題|しゅくだい}を{やらされた|やらされた}。”

“{部長|ぶちょう}に{残業|ざんぎょう}させられた。”

Reference Table

Reference table for Japanese Causative-Passive: 'I was made to do it' (~させられる)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Verb(causative-passive)
させられる
Negative
Verb(causative-passive) + nai
させられない
Past
Verb(causative-passive) + ta
させられた
Polite
Verb(causative-passive) + masu
させられます
Te-form
Verb(causative-passive) + te
させられて

Formality Spectrum

Formal
残業させられました。

残業させられました。 (Work)

Neutral
残業させられました。

残業させられました。 (Work)

Informal
残業させられた。

残業させられた。 (Work)

Slang
残業させられちゃった。

残業させられちゃった。 (Work)

Causative-Passive Logic

Causative-Passive

Meaning

  • Coercion Forced action

Feeling

  • Resentment Dislike
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Examples by Level

1

{宿題|しゅくだい}をさせられた。

I was made to do homework.

2

{掃除|そうじ}をさせられた。

I was made to clean.

3

{勉強|べんきょう}させられた。

I was made to study.

4

{走ら|はしら}させられた。

I was made to run.

1

{先生|せんせい}に{本|ほん}を{読ま|よま}させられた。

I was made to read the book by the teacher.

2

{部長|ぶちょう}に{残業|ざんぎょう}させられた。

I was made to work overtime by the manager.

3

{母|はは}に{野菜|やさい}を{食べさせられた|たべさせられた}。

I was made to eat vegetables by my mother.

4

{兄|あに}に{手伝わ|てつだわ}させられた。

I was made to help by my older brother.

1

{無理|むり}に{歌わ|うたわ}させられた。

I was forced to sing against my will.

2

{会議|かいぎ}で{意見|いけん}を{言わ|いわ}させられた。

I was made to give my opinion at the meeting.

3

{雨|あめ}の{中|なか}、{待た|また}させられた。

I was made to wait in the rain.

4

{店|みせ}の{前|まえ}で{並ば|ならば}させられた。

I was made to line up in front of the store.

1

{上司|じょうし}の{機嫌|きげん}を{取ら|とら}させられた。

I was made to butter up my boss.

2

{興味|きょうみ}のない{話|はなし}を{聞か|きか}させられた。

I was made to listen to a story I had no interest in.

3

{納得|なっとく}できない{説明|せつめい}を{聞か|きか}させられた。

I was made to listen to an explanation I couldn't accept.

4

{重い|おもい}{荷物|にもつ}を{持た|もた}させられた。

I was made to carry heavy luggage.

1

{納得|なっとく}いかない{決定|けってい}に{従わ|したがわ}させられた。

I was made to follow a decision I didn't agree with.

2

{自分|じぶん}の{意志|いし}に{反して|はんして}{行動|こうどう}させられた。

I was made to act against my own will.

3

{不本意|ふほんい}な{役割|やくわり}を{演じ|えんじ}させられた。

I was made to play an unwilling role.

4

{長年|ながねん}の{努力|どりょく}を{無駄|むだ}にさせられた。

I was made to waste years of effort.

1

{組織|そしき}の{論理|ろんり}に{屈服|くっぷく}させられた。

I was made to submit to the logic of the organization.

2

{歴史|れきし}の{波|なみ}に{翻弄|ほんろう}させられた。

I was made to be tossed about by the waves of history.

3

{沈黙|ちんもく}を{守ら|まもら}させられた。

I was made to keep silent.

4

{運命|うんめい}に{翻弄|ほんろう}させられた。

I was made to be at the mercy of fate.

Easily Confused

Japanese Causative-Passive: 'I was made to do it' (~させられる) vs Causative vs Causative-Passive

Learners mix up who is doing the action.

Japanese Causative-Passive: 'I was made to do it' (~させられる) vs Passive vs Causative-Passive

Passive is for being acted on; Causative-Passive is for being forced.

Japanese Causative-Passive: 'I was made to do it' (~させられる) vs Potential vs Causative-Passive

Both can feel like a burden.

Common Mistakes

✗

食べられた

✓

食べさせられた

This means 'I was eaten', not 'I was made to eat'.
✗

行かせられた

✓

行かさせられた

Godan verbs need the 'a' sound.
✗

するさせられた

✓

させられた

Irregular verb conjugation error.
✗

見させられた

✓

見させられた

Actually correct, but often confused with 'mirareta'.
✗

勉強させられた

✓

勉強させられた

Wait, this is correct. Mistake is often in the particle.
✗

先生をさせられた

✓

先生にさせられた

Use 'ni' for the agent.
✗

走らせられた

✓

走らさせられた

Godan conjugation.
✗

言わせられた

✓

言わさせられた

Godan conjugation.
✗

食べさせられた

✓

食べさせられた

Correct, but often used for positive things.
✗

待たさせられた

✓

待たされた

Colloquial contraction is preferred.
✗

させられさせられた

✓

させられた

Double conjugation error.
✗

行かさせられた

✓

行かされた

Contraction preference.
✗

見させられた

✓

見させられた

Correct, but style issue.

Sentence Patterns

___に___をさせられました。

___をさせられて、困りました。

本当に___させられた。

___させられるのは嫌です。

Real World Usage

Workplace very common

残業させられました。

School common

掃除をさせられました。

Social Media occasional

無理やり歌わさせられた！

Travel occasional

待たさせられました。

Family common

野菜を食べさせられた。

Sports common

走らさせられた。

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⚠️

The '~su' Verb Trap

Never shorten verbs ending in 'su' to 'asareta'. 'Hanasasareta' is wrong. Use 'Hanasaserareta'.
🎯

Casual Efficiency

In casual conversation, almost everyone uses the shortened '~asareta' for Godan verbs. It sounds much more natural.
💬

Humility and Force

Japanese culture values harmony, so using this form can sometimes shift blame away from yourself for a mistake.

Smart Tips

Use the causative-passive to show you had no choice.

残業しました。 → 残業させられました。

Use polite forms of the causative-passive.

残業させられた。 → 残業させられました。

Use it to show the character's struggle.

彼は働いた。 → 彼は働かさせられた。

Use it to emphasize the agent.

掃除した。 → 母に掃除させられた。

Pronunciation

sa-se-ra-re-ru

Length

The causative-passive is long; focus on the rhythm.

Resentful

↘

Falling intonation shows disappointment.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Saserareru' as 'Sase' (make) + 'rareru' (passive). You are being 'made' to do it by someone else.

Visual Association

Imagine a puppet on strings being forced to dance by a giant hand. The puppet is the subject, the hand is the agent.

Rhyme

When you're forced to do a chore, add 'saserareru' and nothing more.

Story

I was sitting at my desk. My boss walked in and said 'Work!'. I didn't want to, but I was made to work. I felt the weight of the 'saserareru' on my shoulders.

Word Web

させられる強制嫌々被害者命令義務

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about things you were forced to do as a child.

Cultural Notes

Used to express loyalty while acknowledging hardship.

Used to complain about parental pressure.

Used to describe intense training.

Derived from the combination of the causative suffix 'sase' and the passive suffix 'rareru'.

Conversation Starters

“

子供の頃、何をさせられましたか？

“

仕事で何かさせられたことはありますか？

“

学校で一番嫌だったことは何ですか？

“

最近、何か無理やりさせられたことはありますか？

Journal Prompts

Write about a chore you hated as a child.
Describe a difficult work experience.
Reflect on a time you felt forced to do something.
Discuss the pressure of social expectations.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Conjugate 'kaku' into causative-passive.

___ (kaku)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 書かさせられる
Godan verb rule.
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 母に食べさせられた
Use 'ni' for the agent.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

先生を走らさせられた。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 先生に走らさせられた
Agent needs 'ni'.
Change to causative-passive. Sentence Transformation

食べる

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 食べさせられる
Ichidan rule.
Match the verb. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: させられる
Irregular verb.
Which is the correct meaning? Multiple Choice

残業させられた

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I was made to work overtime
Causative-passive meaning.
Conjugate 'miru'.

___ (miru)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 見させられる
Ichidan rule.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

母 / 勉強 / させられた

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 母に勉強させられた
Correct particle usage.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Conjugate 'kaku' into causative-passive.

___ (kaku)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 書かさせられる
Godan verb rule.
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 母に食べさせられた
Use 'ni' for the agent.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

先生を走らさせられた。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 先生に走らさせられた
Agent needs 'ni'.
Change to causative-passive. Sentence Transformation

食べる

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 食べさせられる
Ichidan rule.
Match the verb. Match Pairs

する -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: させられる
Irregular verb.
Which is the correct meaning? Multiple Choice

残業させられた

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I was made to work overtime
Causative-passive meaning.
Conjugate 'miru'.

___ (miru)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 見させられる
Ichidan rule.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

母 / 勉強 / させられた

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 母に勉強させられた
Correct particle usage.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank (made to wait). Fill in the Blank

{雨|あめ}の{中|なか}、1{時間|じかん}も ___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {待|ま}たされた
Fix the mistake in 'was made to come'. Error Correction

{友達|ともだち}に{無理|むり}に{来|く}させられた。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {来|こ}させられた
Reorder the words: I was made to clean by my sister. Sentence Reorder

[{姉|あね}に] [{掃除|そうじ}] [を] [させられた]

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {姉|あね}に {掃除|そうじ} を させられた
Translate: I was made to drink beer. Translation

Translate to Japanese:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ビールを{飲|の}まされた
Which is more natural for 'made to write'? Multiple Choice

Select the common form for {書|か}く:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {書|か}かされた
Match the verb with its causative-passive form. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all
Fill in (made to return). Fill in the Blank

{門限|もんげん}で{早|はや}く ___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {帰|かえ}らされた
Correct the form for 'forced to do sports'. Error Correction

スポーツをさせされた。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: させられた
Translate: I was made to walk. Translation

Translate to Japanese:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {歩|ある}かされた
Reorder: The sad story made me cry. Sentence Reorder

[{悲|かな}しい] [{話|はなし}] [に] [{泣|な}かされた]

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {悲|かな}しい {話|はなし} に {泣|な}かされた

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

It can be used in both formal and informal settings.

It combines two conjugations.

No, it implies coercion.

Suru and Kuru have specific forms.

Yes, in specific contexts.

Check the dictionary form.

Yes, to explain your experience.

Yes, especially in Kansai.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Ser obligado a

Japanese uses morphology; Spanish uses a periphrastic construction.

French moderate

Être forcé de

Japanese combines the causative and passive into one word.

German moderate

Gezwungen werden

Japanese is more common in daily speech.

Chinese partial

被强迫

Chinese does not conjugate the verb itself.

Arabic moderate

أُجبرت على

Arabic morphology is root-based.

English high

To be made to

English is periphrastic; Japanese is agglutinative.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Japanese Grammar: "No Need To..." (Koto wa nai)
Next
No Choice But to... (~zaru o enai)

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