JLPTMainichi JLPT
English
JLPT N4 · Verb forms

させられる (saserareru)

~させられる — causative-passive (“be made to ~”)

In short · It combines the causative (させる) and the passive (られる): “to be made to do ~ by someone”. The person who is forced is the subject, and there is usually a feeling of reluctance.
A free study page from Mainichi JLPT — the app has 429+ grammar points, plus vocabulary and mock exams.See the app

Pattern

  • 1グループ:ない形+される Group 1: ない-stem + される (読む → 読まされる)
  • 2グループ:語幹+させられる Group 2: stem + させられる (食べる → 食べさせられる)
  • 3グループ Group 3: する → させられる, 来る → 来させられる

Meaning

母にピアノを練習させられた means “Mother made me practice (causative) and I had to go through it (passive).” It usually carries a feeling of “I didn’t want to, but had to”.

Form and cautions

For group 1 verbs the shorter form is normal: 読まされる rather than 読ませられる (but 話す → 話させられる). The person who forces you is marked with に, and the action with を.

Examples

  • 子(こ)どもの時(とき)、毎日(まいにち)ピアノを練習(れんしゅう)させられました。

    Kodomo no toki, mainichi piano o renshū saseraremashita.

    As a child, I was made to practice piano every day.

  • 上司(じょうし)に急(きゅう)な仕事(しごと)をさせられた。

    Jōshi ni kyū na shigoto o saserareta.

    I was made to do a sudden task by my boss.

  • 弟(おとうと)は毎日(まいにち)野菜(やさい)を食(た)べさせられている。

    Otōto wa mainichi yasai o tabesaserarete iru.

    My little brother is made to eat vegetables every day.

Common mistakes

  • The person being forced is the subject, not the person who forces.
  • Group 1 verbs usually use the short form (読まされる), except 話す → 話させられる.

More grammar points

Practice this in the app

Mainichi JLPT turns these grammar points into daily quizzes and a readiness gauge — 100% free, no sign-up.

See the app