An introduction to Japanese - Syntax, Grammar & Language

(Joyce) #1

3.2. FURTHER INFLECTIONS 137


As mentioned, the way these two helper verbs are added is identical
to the way ( ) is added:


verb causative
+ + + + + + + + +

verb causative
+
+
+

irregular causative













Again, we should take note that we use the correct particles, except
in this case we cannot rely on a parallel with English: the person doing the
causing is marked with , because they are the verb actor, the person(s)
affected are marked with , and the direct object is left as such (if there is
one):


”Their mother made the children eat breakfast.”

Some more examples:

”(I) made you wait, (didn’t I)?”

”(I) had (my younger) sister wake me up.”

In addition to being a causative, this construction is also a ”permis-
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