Meaning
This causative grammar pattern uses intransitive (自動詞) verbs to express making or letting someone do something. The causer is marked with は or が, the person affected takes を, and the intransitive verb is conjugated into its causative form. This structure is commonly used with emotion-related verbs and creates sentences like 'I made my parents worry' or 'The parent made me apologize.'
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 名词1（人）は/が | 名词2（人）を 自動詞使役形 |
Examples
-
私は、両親を困らせます。
I am causing my parents to feel troubled. -
昨日友達とけんかして、親は私を友達に謝らせた。
Since I had a fight with my friend yesterday, my parents made me apologize to my friend. -
待たせて、ごめんなさい。
Sorry for making you wait.
Summary
- Pattern: Person1 は/が + Person2 を + Intransitive verb in causative form
- Common with emotion verbs like 困らせる (trouble), 泣かせる (make cry), 笑わせる (make laugh), 心配させる (make worry)
- The third example shows ellipsis - the full form would be 'あなたを待たせて' but is often shortened in polite speech