させてください

Please Let Me

Level 2Sounds Like sasetekudasai

Use させてください when you want to say 'Please let me do...' or 'Please allow me to...'. It is a polite request for permission where the speaker is the one performing the action.

How It Works

1. Formation
To use this pattern, you must first conjugate the verb into its Causative Te-form:

  • Godan Verbs: Change the final syllable to the corresponding syllable in the a-column (note: う becomes わ), then add せてください (e.g., 行く（いく） → 行かせてください; 買う（かう） → 買わせてください).
  • Ichidan Verbs: Drop 〜る and add 〜させてください (e.g., 食べる（たべる） → 食べさせてください).
  • Irregular Verbs: する becomes させてください; 来る（くる） becomes 来させて（こさせて）ください.

2. Particle Usage
The person who is being allowed to perform the action is marked with the particle に. However, since this pattern is most commonly used to ask for permission for oneself, the "私に" (to me) part is usually omitted.

3. Nuance and Usage
While 〜てもいいですか asks 'Is it okay if I...?', させてください is more proactive. It expresses a stronger intention or desire to act. It is very common in professional settings when you need to excuse yourself or offer to take on a task.

4. Politeness Note
In very formal business situations, させてください can sometimes sound slightly demanding because it uses the imperative 'please.' To be even more polite to superiors, speakers often use 〜させていただく or 〜させていただけますか.

Examples (4)

  1. すみません、写真を撮らせてください。

    Excuse me, please let me take a photo.

    Word by Word: Excuse me, photo (object) let take please.

    The speaker is asking for permission to take a picture in a polite way.

  2. 今日は体調が悪いので、早く帰らせてください。

    I'm not feeling well today, so please let me go home early.

    Word by Word: Today as for physical condition (subject) bad because, early let return please.

    This is a common way to ask a boss or teacher for permission to leave early.

  3. その件について、少し考えさせてください。

    Please let me think about that matter for a bit.

    Word by Word: That matter about, a little let think please.

    Used when you need time before making a decision or giving an answer.

  4. 私にやらせてください。

    Please let me do it.

    Word by Word: Me to, let do please.

    A proactive way to volunteer for a task or responsibility.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'Please let me' with 'Please do'.

    先生、漢字を書かせてください。
    先生、漢字を書いてください。

    If you want the teacher to write, use 〜てください. Using させてください means you are asking the teacher to let YOU write.

  • Using the wrong particle for the person performing the action.

    私は行かせてください。
    私に行かせてください。

    In causative sentences, the person being 'let' or 'made' to do something is usually marked with the particle に, not は.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

させてくださいLevel 2Please Let Me

Learn This First

To understand させてください (Please let me), you first need to know how to make polite requests using てください. Additionally, you must understand verb groups to correctly conjugate verbs into the causative form, which is the base for this expression.

Words in This Pattern

せる下さい