Japanese grammar

What does ～させられる mean? Japanese grammar N1

～させられる means be made to do…; be caused to feel….

Quick facts
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N1
Structure	Vせられる/させられる
Romaji	saserareru
Meaning	be made to do…; be caused to feel…

Forming it

Group I	飲む → 飲ま + される
Group II	食べる → 食べ + させられる

How to use it

The CAUSATIVE-PASSIVE form: being made to do something one doesn't want to by someone else; or being emotionally affected.

「～させられる」 = being forced to do something: 「父に勉強させられた」 (made to study by one's father). The one being forced is the subject, and the one forcing takes 「に」.
A second meaning (not negative): being moved to think/feel — 「考えさせられる」 (being made to think).
Group I verbs have a contracted form 「～される」 (飲まされる); verbs ending in 「す」 do NOT contract (話させられる).

Examples

子供(こども)のころ、毎日(まいにち)ピアノを練習(れんしゅう)させられた。
As a child, I was made to practice piano every day.
あの映画(えいが)には深(ふか)く考(かんが)えさせられた。
That film really made me think.

Keep in mind

The one who forces takes 「に」.
Group I contracts to 「される」 (except verbs ending in す).

Common mistakes

Wrong私(わたし)は父(ちち)を勉強(べんきょう)させられた。

I was made to study by my father.

Correct私(わたし)は父(ちち)に勉強(べんきょう)させられた。

The one who FORCES takes the particle 「に」, not 「を」.
Wrong彼(かれ)は上司(じょうし)に長々(ながなが)と事情(じじょう)を話(はな)さされた。

He was made by his boss to explain the situation at length.

Correct彼(かれ)は上司(じょうし)に長々(ながなが)と事情(じじょう)を話(はな)させられた。

Group I verbs ending in 「す」 do NOT use the contracted form 「される」.

Exam tips

「させられる」 = being made to do something (the one forcing + に); also used to mean "being made to think/feel".

Related patterns

All N1 grammar →