Japanese grammar
What does ～ (さ)せていただく mean? Japanese grammar N4
～ (さ)せていただく means allow me to ~, may I ~.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | V (causative form, drop る) + ていただく V(さ)せて + いただけませんか (asking permission) V(さ)せて + いただきます (announcement) |
| Romaji | ~ (sa)sete itadaku |
| Meaning | allow me to ~, may I ~ |
Forming it
| Group I | 休む → 休ませる → 休ませていただく |
|---|---|
| Group II | 始める → 始めさせる → 始めさせていただく |
| Irregular | する → させる → させていただく, 来る → 来させる → 来させていただく |
How to use it
Asking someone above you for permission to do something, or announcing what you're doing in an extremely humble way.
- Two-layer structure: the causative form (させる = allow/make someone do) + いただく (the humble form of もらう). Literal meaning: "I humbly RECEIVE PERMISSION to do ~". Because of this it both asks permission and lowers yourself — a very high level of politeness.
- Two clearly different uses. (1) Genuinely asking permission: 早く帰らせていただけませんか — it's a question, waiting for the other person's agreement. (2) A polite announcement: 説明させていただきます — actually already decided, just phrased humbly. Use (2) is very common in presentations and business announcements.
- Condition for correct use: there must be a "being allowed" element and you must benefit from it. If it's something you do that doesn't need anyone's permission and doesn't benefit you, using this pattern sounds forced and artificial.
- Context: asking a boss for time off, asking a teacher for permission, opening a presentation, announcing a shop's closure (本日は休業させていただきます).
Examples
明日、休ませていただけませんか。
Would it be alright if I took tomorrow off?
それでは、新しい計画を説明させていただきます。
Now, allow me to explain the new plan.
写真を撮らせていただいてもよろしいですか。
May I take a photo, please?
Keep in mind
- Japanese speakers nowadays use this pattern somewhat excessively — some feel that hearing ～させていただきます too often sounds overly formal. But for N4 and at work, it's safe to use.
- The extra さ mistake (さ入れ言葉): using させる for group I verbs is wrong — 休まさせていただく is incorrect; 休ませていただく is correct.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong明日、休まさせていただきます。
Please allow me to take tomorrow off.
Correct明日、休ませていただきます。
休む is a group I verb → its causative form is 休ませる, not 休まさせる. This is the "extra さ" error.
-
Wrong先生に本を読ませていただきました。ありがとうございました。
The teacher lent me a book. Thank you, teacher.
Correct先生に本を貸していただきました。ありがとうございました。
Here the meaning is "had the book lent to me by the teacher" — the action belongs to the teacher, so the plain ～ていただく should be used, without the causative form.
Exam tips
- Distinguish: ～ていただく = THE OTHER PERSON does it for me. ～させていただく = I do it, after asking permission. The N4 exam often targets exactly this point.