Making People Do Things: Causative -시키다
하다 with 시키다 to turn a neutral action into a command, assignment, or order.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -시키다 to force or command someone to perform an action, turning a noun or verb stem into a causative verb.
- Attach -시키다 to noun-based verbs (e.g., 공부하다 -> 공부시키다).
- Use it for direct commands or forced actions (e.g., 아이에게 밥을 먹이다 vs 먹게 시키다).
- Distinguish between -게 하다 (permission/letting) and -시키다 (commanding/forcing).
Overview
In Korean, expressing causation—the act of making, having, or letting someone do something—often involves distinct grammatical constructions. Among these, the verbal suffix 시키다 (romanized: sikida) plays a pivotal role, particularly when dealing with Sino-Korean verbs formed with 하다 (hada). At the C1 level, understanding 시키다 goes beyond simple substitution; it requires an appreciation for its nuances, its semantic interplay with other causative forms, and its preferred usage contexts in modern Korean.
시키다 functions primarily as a lexical causative, transforming a noun typically associated with an action (e.g., 공부 gongbu 'study') into a causative verb (e.g., 공부시키다 gongbusikida 'to make someone study'). This derivation implies that the grammatical subject is not performing the action itself but is causing or ordering another agent to perform it. While sometimes translated as 'to force,' its meaning can be broader, encompassing 'to instruct,' 'to assign,' 'to commission,' or simply 'to activate' depending on the context and the nature of the caused action.
Historically, 시키다 emerged from a combination of the noun 사 (sa) meaning 'matter/affair' and the verb 이키다 (ikida) 'to cause,' evolving to its current form and function. Its prevalence with Sino-Korean vocabulary reflects a linguistic tendency to create new verbs by compounding existing elements, particularly within the more formal or abstract semantic domains often covered by Hanja-derived words. Mastering 시키다 provides learners with a more precise tool for expressing agency and control, crucial for effective communication in academic, professional, and everyday advanced Korean contexts.
How This Grammar Works
시키다 fundamentally alters the relationship between the subject and the action of a verb. When a verb is rendered causative with 시키다, the grammatical subject becomes the causer or instigator, and a secondary agent (the person or entity being caused to act) is introduced. This secondary agent then carries out the actual action.시키다 operates in two main capacities:- As a Causative Suffix for Noun +
하다Verbs: This is the most common and productive use. Many Sino-Korean nouns combine with하다to form verbs (e.g.,교육하다gyoyukhada 'to educate'). By replacing하다with시키다, you transform the verb into its causative form (e.g.,교육시키다gyoyuksikida 'to make/have someone educate/train'). In this structure, the subject (causer) acts upon the secondary agent, causing them to perform the noun's action. The secondary agent is typically marked with the dative particles에게(ege) or한테(hante), indicating the recipient of the causative action.
- As an Independent Verb:
시키다can also stand alone, carrying the meaning of 'to order (food/service),' 'to assign (a task),' or 'to make/compel.' When used independently, the object of ordering or assigning is typically marked with the accusative particle을/를(eul/reul). For example,피자를 시키다(pijareul sikida) means 'to order pizza.' In these cases, the causation is often indirect or the 'caused agent' is unspecified or inanimate.
이/가, 은/는 | 제가 (jega) 'I (honorific)' | The one initiating the causation. |에게, 한테 | 학생들에게 (haksaengdeurege) 'to students' | The one performing the action at the causer's behest. |을/를 | 청소를 (cheongso-reul) 'cleaning' | The action performed by the caused agent, or the object of the causative verb. |선생님이 학생들에게 숙제를 시키셨어요. (Seonsaengnimi haksaengdeurege sukjereul sikisyeosseoyo. 'The teacher made the students do homework.'), 선생님 (seonsaengnim) is the causer (subject), 학생들 (haksaengdeul) are the caused agents (marked with 에게), and 숙제를 시키다 (sukjereul sikida) is the causative action. This clear distinction of roles is essential for accurately interpreting sentences involving 시키다.Formation Pattern
시키다 is remarkably consistent, primarily applying to a specific class of verbs. Understanding this pattern, along with the nuances of its conjugation and sentence structure, is key to its proper application.
하다 Verbs
하다, you simply replace 하다 with 시키다. This transformation almost always creates a causative verb.
공부하다 (gongbuhada)| to study | 공부시키다 (gongbusikida)| to make/have someone study |
교육하다 (gyoyukhada)| to educate/train | 교육시키다 (gyoyuksikida)| to make/have someone educate/train |
주문하다 (jumunhada)| to order | 주문시키다 (jumunsikida)| (Less common, see 'Common Mistakes') |
입원하다 (ibwonhada)| to be hospitalized| 입원시키다 (ibwonsikida)| to hospitalize someone |
훈련하다 (hunnyeonhada)| to train | 훈련시키다 (hunnyeonsikida)| to make/have someone train |
조사하다 (josahada)| to investigate | 조사시키다 (josasikida)| to make/have someone investigate |
가동하다 (gadonghada)| to operate/activate| 가동시키다 (gadongsikida)| to activate/operate something |
시키다
시키다 is generally:
이/가 or 은/는] + [Caused Agent 에게/한테] + [Object (of action) 을/를] + [Noun + 시키다 verb]
부장님이 직원에게 발표를 준비시켰어요. (Bujangnimi jigwon-ege balpyoreul junbisikyeosseoyo.)
부장님 is the causer, 직원 is the caused agent, and 발표 is the object of the action 준비하다.
어머니는 아이에게 채소를 먹게 하셨지만, 결국 과일을 먹이셨어요. (Eomeonineun aiege chaesoreul meokge hasyeotjiman, gyeolguk gwaileul meogisyeosseoyo.)
먹게 하다 and 먹이다 for contrast, as 먹시키다 is incorrect. See 'Common Mistakes' for details on native verbs.)
시키다
시키다 itself is a verb, it conjugates like any other 하다-ending verb. Its regular conjugation makes it relatively straightforward to use in various tenses and politeness levels.
-ㅂ니다/-습니다) | Casual Polite (-아요/-어요) | Plain Form (-는다/-ㄴ다) |
시킵니다 (sikipnida) | 시켜요 (sikyeoyo) | 시킨다 (sikinda) |
시켰습니다 (sikyeotseupnida)| 시켰어요 (sikyeosseoyo) | 시켰다 (sikyeotda) |
시킬 것입니다 (sikil geosipnida)| 시킬 거예요 (sikil geoyeyo)| 시킬 것이다 (sikil geosida)|
시키십시오 (sikisipsio) | 시키세요 (sikiseyo) | 시켜라 (sikyeora) |
시킵시다 (sikipsida) | 시켜요 (sikyeoyo) | 시키자 (sikija) |
시키다 for 'Ordering'
시키다 is used alone, especially for ordering food or services, the object of the order is directly marked with 을/를.
저녁으로 치킨을 시켰어요. (Jeonyeogeuro chikin-eul sikyeosseoyo.)
여행사에 표를 예약시켜 달라고 했어요. (Yeohaengsa-e pyoreul yeyaksikyeo dallago haesseoyo.)
시키다 is part of a longer construction.)
When To Use It
시키다 is not merely a grammatical tool; it carries specific connotations and is favored in certain contexts. At the C1 level, understanding these distinctions helps you choose the most natural and appropriate expression.시키다 strongly implies that the causer has a degree of authority over the caused agent, or is in a position to give a direct command or instruction. This is often seen in hierarchical relationships.상사는 부하직원에게 중요한 임무를 수행시켰다.(Sangsaneun buhajigwon-ege jungyohan immureul suhaengsikyeotda.)
선생님은 학생들에게 교실 청소를 시키셨어요.(Seonsaengnim-eun haksaengdeurege gyosil cheongso-reul sikisyeosseoyo.)
시키다 is for ordering food or services. In this sense, you are commissioning an action from a service provider, rather than directly 'forcing' them.오늘 점심으로 짜장면 시킬까요?(Oneul jeomsimeuro jjajangmyeon sikilkkayo?)
이삿짐센터에 이사 시킬 준비를 하고 있어요.(Isatjimseonteo-e isasikil junbireul hago isseoyo.)
시키다 expresses setting up a service, where the other party willingly performs the action for compensation.시키다 can also be used when the 'caused agent' is an inanimate object or an abstract concept, implying activation, initiation, or bringing about a certain state. In these cases, the nuance of 'forcing' is absent.새로운 시스템을 가동시켰습니다.(Saeroun sistem-eul gadongsikyeosseumnida.)
그는 공장을 재가동시키기 위해 노력했다.(Geuneun gongjang-eul jaegadongsikigi wihae noryeokhaetda.)
환경 오염은 심각한 문제를 야기시키고 있습니다.(Hwangyeong oyeom-eun simgakhan munje-reul yagisikigo isseumnida.)
야기하다 'to cause' becomes 야기시키다 'to make cause,' emphasizing the direct causation.)시키다 is frequently found in more formal, technical, or impersonal writing and speech, such as news reports, official documents, or instructions. It conveys a sense of direct action and responsibility.정부는 기업들에게 친환경 기술 개발을 독려시켰다.(Jeongbuneun gieopdeurege chinwangyeong giseul gaebal-eul dongnyosikyeotda.)
-게 하다 and Short Causatives시키다vs.-게 하다:시키다generally implies more direct instruction or authority, making the caused agent perform the action.-게 하다is broader, covering not only direct instruction but also permission, allowance, or simply creating a situation where an action happens. It often feels less forceful and can apply to almost any verb, while시키다is largely limited to Sino-Korean하다verbs.제가 그에게 기다리게 했어요.(Jega geuege gidarige haesseoyo. 'I made/let him wait.') - Could be polite, or creating circumstances.제가 그에게 기다리게 시켰어요.(Incorrect/Awkward) - One would say제가 그에게 대기하라고 시켰어요.(I ordered him to wait/stand by.) for an authoritative command.시키다vs. Short Causatives (-이/히/리/기/우/구/추): Short causatives (e.g.,먹이다meogida 'to feed',입히다ipida 'to dress someone') often imply a physical, direct action performed by the causer upon the caused agent, or a change of state brought about directly.시키다, conversely, more frequently involves verbal instruction or an assigned task, where the caused agent performs the action themselves, often intellectually or administratively. For example,입히다means you literally put clothes on someone, while옷을 입게 하다means you make or tell them to get dressed.
Common Mistakes
시키다. Avoiding these common pitfalls will significantly enhance the naturalness and accuracy of your Korean.시키다 with Native Korean Verbs시키다 almost exclusively attaches to Sino-Korean nouns that precede 하다 to form verbs. You cannot append 시키다 to native Korean verb stems like 먹다 (meokda 'to eat'), 자다 (jada 'to sleep'), or 가다 (gada 'to go').- Incorrect:
먹시키다,자시키다,가시키다 - Correct Alternatives: For native verbs, you must use either the short causative suffixes (
-이/히/리/기/우/구/추, e.g.,먹이다'to feed',재우다'to put to sleep') or the more general-게 하다construction (e.g.,먹게 하다'to make/let eat',자게 하다'to make/let sleep',가게 하다'to make/let go'). 엄마가 아기를 재웠어요.(Eommaga agireul jaewosseoyo. 'Mom put the baby to sleep.')친구에게 집에 일찍 가게 했어요.(Chinguege jibe iljjik gage haesseoyo. 'I made my friend go home early.')
에게/한테 is the primary particle for the caused agent, learners sometimes incorrectly use 을/를 (accusative object marker) when there is another direct object in the sentence. Using 을/를 for the caused agent makes them sound like the primary object of the main action, not an agent performing an action.- Awkward/Ambiguous:
저는 친구를 공부시켰어요.(Jeoneun chingureul gongbusikyeosseoyo.)
공부 is implicitly the direct object, then 친구 is unambiguously the object of 시키다, but it still sounds less natural than 에게/한테 when the caused agent performs an action.- Natural/Clear:
저는 친구에게 공부시켰어요.(Jeoneun chingu-ege gongbusikyeosseoyo.)
친구 is clearly the person to whom the causative action is directed, and who performs the action of studying.을/를 can be used for the caused agent when the focus is entirely on them as a 'target' of the causative action, especially when the action itself is intransitive or its object is implied. For example, 아이를 입원시켰다. (Ai-reul ibwonsikyeotda. 'I hospitalized the child.') Here, 아이 is the direct object of 'hospitalizing,' not an agent performing an action.주문 시키다주문하다 already means 'to order.' Adding 시키다 to it (주문시키다) is often considered redundant by grammarians. While native speakers might occasionally use it, especially in casual speech or when emphasizing the 'making happen' aspect, it's generally best to stick with either 주문하다 or (음식/배달) 시키다.- Avoid:
음식을 주문시켰어요. - Prefer:
음식을 주문했어요.(Eumsig-eul jumunhaesseoyo. 'I ordered food.') OR음식을 시켰어요.(Eumsig-eul sikyeosseoyo. 'I ordered food.')
시키다 often implies authority or compulsion, it's not always forceful. In contexts like 가동시키다 ('to activate/operate [a machine]'), 작동시키다 ('to operate/make function'), or 야기시키다 ('to cause/bring about'), the connotation is simply initiation or activation, without any interpersonal 'forcing.' Understand the context to accurately gauge the degree of compulsion.소개시켜 주다소개시켜 주다 (sogaesikyeo juda 'to introduce someone [for someone else's benefit]') is grammatically controversial. 소개하다 already means 'to introduce,' so 소개시켜 주다 literally means 'to make introduce for someone.' Despite its awkwardness, it is very commonly heard in casual Korean, particularly when asking someone to introduce you to another person or a new concept (e.g., 좋은 책 좀 소개시켜 주세요. Joeun chaek jom sogaesikyeo juseyo. 'Please introduce me to some good books.'). While technically redundant, its widespread use makes it a pragmatic necessity to recognize, though purists might advise 소개해 주다.Real Conversations
To truly grasp 시키다 at an advanced level, observe its use in authentic, contemporary Korean dialogue across various registers. It appears in contexts ranging from highly formal to quite casual, reflecting different levels of authority and intention.
1. Workplace Communication (Formal/Semi-Formal)
In a professional setting, 시키다 is common when assigning tasks or describing responsibilities.
- Manager to employee: 김대리, 이 보고서 오늘까지 마무리시켜 주세요. (Kimdaeri, i bogoseo oneulkkaji mamurisikyeo juseyo. 'Assistant Manager Kim, please have this report finalized by today.')
Observation
마무리시키다 (from 마무리하다 'to finish') to assign the task, implying a directive.- Employee describing work: 팀장님이 저한테 새로운 프로젝트를 전담시켰어요. (Timjangnimi jeohante saeroun peurojekteureul jeondamsikyeosseoyo. 'The team leader made me exclusively handle the new project.')
Observation
전담시키다 (from 전담하다 'to take exclusive charge of') to indicate a clear assignment of responsibility.2. Casual Social Interaction (Friends/Family)
Among friends or family, 시키다 can appear playful, exasperated, or simply descriptive of everyday arrangements.
- Friend to friend: 야, 너 어제 치킨 시켰냐? 왜 나한테 말 안 했어! (Ya, neo eoje chikin sikyeotnya? Wae nahante mal an haesseo! 'Hey, did you order chicken yesterday? Why didn't you tell me!')
Observation
시키다 for ordering food, a very common colloquialism.- Parent to child (exasperated): 내가 몇 번을 말해야 숙제를 하겠니? 매번 내가 시켜야만 하는구나! (Naega myeot beon-eul malhaeya sukjereul hagetni? Maebeon naega sikyeoyaman haneunguna! 'How many times do I have to tell you to do your homework? I have to make you do it every time!')
Observation
시키다 here captures the parental exasperation of having to constantly instruct or prompt a child.3. Public Announcements/News (Formal)
In formal discourse, 시키다 is used to describe systemic actions or policies.
- News report: 정부는 국민들에게 적극적인 투표 참여를 독려시켰다. (Jeongbuneun gungmin-deurege jeokgeukjeogin tupyo chamyeo-reul dongnyosikyeotda. 'The government encouraged active participation in voting among its citizens.')
Observation
독려하다 ('to encourage') becomes 독려시키다 to indicate the government's direct action of promoting participation.- Public notice: 화재 예방을 위해 모든 전기 제품의 전원을 차단시켜 주십시오. (Hwajae yebang-eul wihae modeun jeongi jejum-ui jeonwon-eul chadansikyeo jusipsio. 'Please cut off the power to all electrical appliances for fire prevention.')
Observation
차단하다 ('to cut off') becomes 차단시키다 in an imperative context, a formal instruction to cause the power to be cut.4. Texting/Messaging (Casual/Informal)
Even in informal text exchanges, 시키다 finds its place, especially for ordering food or assigning small tasks.
- 오늘 저녁 뭐 시켜 먹을까? (Oneul jeonyeok mwo sikyeo meogeulkka? 'What should we order to eat for dinner today?')
Observation
시켜 먹다 is a common compound verb meaning 'to order and eat,' highlighting the commissioning of food.- 숙제는 다 시켜놨어? (Sukjeneun da sikyeonwasseo? 'Did you get all the homework done (made others do it/commissioned it)?')
Observation
시키다 with 놓다 (-놓다 implies an action completed and left in that state) can imply that the speaker assigned the homework or ensured its completion by others.These examples illustrate that 시키다 is far from a rare or exclusively formal construction. It is deeply embedded in various layers of Korean communication, each context adding a subtle layer to its core meaning of 'causing to do.'
Quick FAQ
시키다 that often arise for C1 learners, providing further clarity and addressing potential ambiguities.시키다 and -게 하다?While both express causation, 시키다 generally carries a stronger connotation of direct command, instruction, or authoritative assignment. It implies the causer has the power or right to make the caused agent perform the action. -게 하다, on the other hand, is much broader. It can mean 'to make' or 'to have' someone do something (similar to 시키다), but it also encompasses 'to let/allow' or simply 'to bring about a situation where something happens.' -게 하다 is more neutral regarding authority and applies to virtually all verbs, whereas 시키다 is mainly for Sino-Korean 하다 verbs.
부장님이 직원을 야근시키셨어요.(Bujangnimi jigwon-eul yageunsikyeosseoyo. 'The department head made the employee work overtime.') - Stronger sense of directive.부장님이 직원에게 야근하게 하셨어요.(Bujangnimi jigwon-ege yageunhage hasyeosseoyo. 'The department head had/let the employee work overtime.') - Can be a directive, but also could be granting permission or creating conditions.
시키다 ever be used for positive or voluntary actions?Yes. While it often implies 'making' or 'forcing,' it can also be neutral or even positive, particularly when commissioning a service or activating something. For example, when you 치킨을 시키다 (chikin-eul sikida 'order chicken'), it's a voluntary transaction. When 기계를 가동시키다 (gigye-reul gadongsikida 'activate a machine'), it's simply initiating a process. The perceived 'force' largely depends on the verb it attaches to and the relationship between the causer and the caused agent.
시키다 and the short causatives (-이/히/리/기/우/구/추)?This is a nuanced distinction. Short causatives are typically used for:
- Direct, often physical intervention: e.g.,
먹이다('to feed' - you physically put food in their mouth),입히다('to dress' - you physically put clothes on them). - Causing a change of state: e.g.,
녹이다('to melt' - you cause something to change from solid to liquid). - Native Korean verbs: Short causatives are usually derived from native Korean verbs.
시키다 is generally used for:- Verbal instruction or assigned tasks: e.g.,
숙제를 시키다('to assign homework'). - Intellectual or administrative actions: e.g.,
조사시키다('to make investigate'). - Sino-Korean
하다verbs: This is its primary domain.
하다 verb and involves instructing or assigning, 시키다 is often the choice.소개시켜 주다 always wrong?Grammatically, yes, it's redundant. 소개하다 already means 'to introduce.' Adding 시키다 (소개시키다) would mean 'to make someone introduce,' and then adding 주다 (-주다 for benefit) makes it 'to make someone introduce for my benefit.' However, it's widely used by native speakers in informal contexts to mean 'to introduce (for me),' especially when asking for an introduction. While 소개해 주다 is the grammatically correct and universally accepted form, 소개시켜 주다 has become a colloquialism. For formal writing or speaking, 소개해 주다 is always safer.
시키다?Yes, certain collocations are very strong:
음식/치킨/피자 등을 시키다: To order food/chicken/pizza, etc.배달 시키다: To order delivery.가동시키다 / 작동시키다: To activate / to operate (a machine).입원시키다: To hospitalize someone.교육시키다 / 훈련시키다: To educate / to train someone.조사시키다: To make someone investigate.청소시키다: To make someone clean.결정시키다: To make someone decide.
시키다 beyond abstract rules.Causative Conjugation with -시키다
| Base Verb | Causative Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
|
공부하다
|
공부시키다
|
To make study
|
|
운동하다
|
운동시키다
|
To make exercise
|
|
청소하다
|
청소시키다
|
To make clean
|
|
요리하다
|
요리시키다
|
To make cook
|
|
준비하다
|
준비시키다
|
To make prepare
|
|
연습하다
|
연습시키다
|
To make practice
|
Meanings
The suffix -시키다 is used to express that the subject causes another person to perform an action. It carries a stronger sense of command or requirement compared to other causative forms.
Command/Order
Directing someone to perform a task.
“청소를 시켰어요.”
“심부름을 시켰어요.”
Service Request
Ordering food or services.
“피자를 시켰어요.”
“택시를 시켰어요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Noun + 시키다
|
공부시켰어요
|
|
Negative
|
Noun + 시키지 않다
|
공부시키지 않았어요
|
|
Question
|
Noun + 시켰어요?
|
공부시켰어요?
|
|
Polite
|
Noun + 시키십니다
|
공부시키십니다
|
|
Casual
|
Noun + 시켜
|
공부시켜
|
|
Past
|
Noun + 시켰다
|
공부시켰다
|
Formality Spectrum
그에게 청소를 시키십시오. (General)
그에게 청소를 시켰어요. (General)
그한테 청소 시켰어. (General)
청소 좀 시켜. (General)
Causative Flow
Action
- 시키다 Make/Order
Recipient
- 에게/한테 To the person
Examples by Level
피자를 시켰어요.
I ordered pizza.
커피를 시켰어요.
I ordered coffee.
치킨을 시켰어요.
I ordered chicken.
물을 시켰어요.
I ordered water.
선생님이 공부를 시켰어요.
The teacher made me study.
엄마가 청소를 시켰어요.
Mom made me clean.
운동을 시켰어요.
I made him exercise.
일을 시켰어요.
I made him work.
부장님이 보고서를 쓰게 시켰어요.
The boss made me write the report.
아이에게 심부름을 시켰어요.
I made the child run an errand.
그는 나에게 노래를 시켰어요.
He made me sing.
숙제를 시키지 마세요.
Don't make me do homework.
상사는 직원에게 야근을 시켰습니다.
The boss made the employee work overtime.
그는 동생에게 방 청소를 시켰어요.
He made his younger sibling clean the room.
선생님은 학생들에게 발표를 시켰어요.
The teacher made the students give a presentation.
그는 나에게 춤을 시켰어요.
He made me dance.
그는 부하 직원들에게 무리한 업무를 시켰다.
He made his subordinates do unreasonable tasks.
어머니는 아이에게 피아노 연습을 시켰다.
The mother made the child practice piano.
그는 나에게 억지로 사과를 시켰다.
He forced me to apologize.
그는 나에게 모든 책임을 지게 시켰다.
He made me take all the responsibility.
그는 권력을 이용해 사람들에게 복종을 시켰다.
He used his power to make people obey.
그는 나에게 불가능한 임무를 완수하게 시켰다.
He made me complete an impossible mission.
그는 나에게 침묵을 시켰다.
He made me stay silent.
그는 나에게 굴욕적인 행동을 시켰다.
He made me do humiliating things.
Easily Confused
Both imply causation but differ in force.
Learners use -시키다 for everything.
Confusing 'being made to do' with 'doing to someone'.
Common Mistakes
밥을 먹시키다
밥을 먹이다
공부하다 시키다
공부시키다
나를 시키다
나에게 시키다
청소 시키다
청소시키다
그를 시키다
그에게 시키다
숙제 시키다
숙제를 시키다
먹게 시키다
먹이다
가게 시키다
가게 하다
오게 시키다
오게 하다
울게 시키다
울리다
웃게 시키다
웃기다
죽게 시키다
죽이다
입게 시키다
입히다
자게 시키다
재우다
Sentence Patterns
___을/를 시켰어요.
___에게 ___을/를 시켰어요.
___을/를 시키지 마세요.
___을/를 시키는 것은 ___입니다.
Real World Usage
피자를 시켰어요.
보고서를 작성시키겠습니다.
숙제를 시켰어요.
친구한테 춤을 시켰다.
팀원들에게 업무를 시켰습니다.
택시를 시켰어요.
Check for Lexical Causatives
Don't use with Superiors
Use for Services
Tone Matters
Smart Tips
Use [Food] + 시켰어요.
Use [Task] + 시켰습니다.
Use -요청하다 instead of -시키다.
Try replacing -하다 with -시키다.
Pronunciation
Suffixation
The '시' in 시키다 is pronounced with a sharp 's' sound.
Command
청소를 시켰어요! (Falling)
Assertive command.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '시키다' as 'She-key-da'—she keys the car for you because you made her do it.
Visual Association
Imagine a boss pointing at a desk, saying '시키다!' (Do it!). The employee is frantically typing.
Rhyme
When you want to order or make someone do, add 시키다 to the noun, it's true.
Story
The king wanted a new palace. He called his architect. 'Build it!' he commanded. He made the architect build it. The king used the causative -시키다.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences using -시키다 for things you want your friends to do today.
Cultural Notes
Using -시키다 towards superiors is extremely rude. Use -요청하다 instead.
Derived from the verb 하다 (to do) + causative suffix.
Conversation Starters
오늘 뭐 시켰어요?
누구한테 일을 시켰어요?
왜 그에게 공부를 시켰어요?
직원들에게 어떤 업무를 시키는 편인가요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
나는 동생에게 공부를 ___.
엄마가 아이에게 밥을 ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
그에게 청소를 시키지 마세요.
피자를 / 시켰어요 / 나는
운동하다 -> ?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
상사는 직원에게 야근을 ___.
그는 나에게 모든 책임을 ___.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises나는 동생에게 공부를 ___.
엄마가 아이에게 밥을 ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
그에게 청소를 시키지 마세요.
피자를 / 시켰어요 / 나는
운동하다 -> ?
공부하다 -> ?
상사는 직원에게 야근을 ___.
그는 나에게 모든 책임을 ___.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercises아빠가 아이들에게 방을 ___.
사장님이 직원들___ 일을 시켰어요.
배고픈데 피자 시킬까?
동생을 울시켰어요. (I made my brother cry.)
책을 / 학생들에게 / 읽게 / 저는 / 했어요
Match the action to the causative meaning.
Select the most authoritative sentence.
오늘 밤에 배달 ___?
기계를 일시켰어요.
Translate the sentence into informal Korean.
코치님이 선수들을 ___ (The coach made the players train).
Which word generally does NOT combine with '시키다'?
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Mostly, but it is also used for ordering services.
No, it is primarily for Sino-Korean verbs ending in -하다.
-시키다 is a command; -게 하다 is permission or persuasion.
It can be if used towards superiors; use -요청하다 instead.
Use -지 않다 before the verb.
Yes, -시켰다.
Because '먹이다' is the standard lexical causative.
Yes, especially for food delivery.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
させる
Japanese causative is more widely applicable to all verbs.
hacer + infinitive
Spanish uses a separate verb, while Korean uses a suffix.
faire + infinitive
French structure is periphrastic.
lassen
German 'lassen' is closer to 'let' than 'make'.
让
Chinese is a pre-verbal particle, not a suffix.
Form IV verbs
Arabic changes the internal structure of the verb root.
