Causative-Passive: Being Made To Do Something
Quick Answer: Causative-passive = causative + passive: Group 1 u→a + せられる (shortened: u→a + される for most). Group 2: る→させられる. Irregular: する→させられる, 来る→来させられる. Means 'was made to do / was forced to do.'
The ultimate double conjugation — compulsion from the victim's perspective
Category: Verb Forms
The Rule
Causative-passive = causative + passive: Group 1 u→a + せられる (shortened: u→a + される for most). Group 2: る→させられる. Irregular: する→させられる, 来る→来させられる. Means 'was made to do / was forced to do.'
Why This Matters
This is the longest conjugation chain in Japanese and one of the most expressive. It lets you say 'I was forced to do X' in a single verb form. English needs a full phrase ('was made to'); Japanese packs it into conjugation. The shortened forms (飲まされる instead of 飲ませられる) are standard in speech.
Examples
• 先生にたくさん宿題をやらされた。 — "I was made to do a lot of homework by the teacher." [やる → やらせる → やらされる (shortened)] • 上司に残業させられました。 — "I was forced to work overtime by my boss." [する → させる → させられる] • パーティーで歌を歌わされた。 — "I was made to sing at the party." [歌う → 歌わせる → 歌わされる (shortened)] • 苦手な野菜を食べさせられた。 — "I was forced to eat vegetables I don't like." [食べる → 食べさせる → 食べさせられる (Group 2: no shortening)]
Common Mistakes
❌ 待たさせられた ✅ 待たされた / 待たせられた → Group 1 shortened form: 待つ → 待たされる (not 待たさせられる). The short form drops せら to just さ ❌ 食べさされた ✅ 食べさせられた → Group 2 verbs don't have the shortened form. Always use the full させられる: 食べさせられた
Quick Tip
The shortened form (Group 1 only: u→a + される) is what you'll hear in real speech. 書かされる, 読まされる, 飲まされる. Group 2 always uses the full form: 食べさせられる, 見させられる.
The shortened form (Group 1 only: u→a + される) is what you'll hear in real speech. 書かされる, 読まされる, 飲まされる. Group 2 always uses the full form: 食べさせられる, 見させられる.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: 待たさせられた → Correct: 待たされた / 待たせられた. Group 1 shortened form: 待つ → 待たされる (not 待たさせられる). The short form drops せら to just さ
Incorrect: 食べさされた → Correct: 食べさせられた. Group 2 verbs don't have the shortened form. Always use the full させられる: 食べさせられた
Quiz
What is the causative-passive of 飲む (nomu)?