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See the whole course›Intermediate 1›Observations and Childhood Experiences

Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N3 · Intermediate 1

〜させてもらいます~sasete moraimasu

gratefully be allowed to

Use 「〜させてもらいます」 to show appreciation for being allowed or given a chance to act.

Start the interactive lessonIllustrated cards, audio and speaking practice

How it works

  1. Who is doing the work? Grandfather lets me help; I am the one actually doing the farm work.

    Who is doing the work? Grandfather lets me help; I am the one actually doing the farm work.

  2. You see the other person’s permission or the opportunity they give you as a kindness, and express appreciation and gratitude.

    You see the other person’s permission or the opportunity they give you as a kindness, and express appreciation and gratitude.

  3. Use the て-form of the causative + もらいます: 手伝う → 手伝わせて + もらいます.

    Use the て-form of the causative + もらいます: 手伝う → 手伝わせて + もらいます.

  4. もらいました describes a past experience of being allowed to do something; the speaker is still the person who does it.

    もらいました describes a past experience of being allowed to do something; the speaker is still the person who does it.

  5. When you want to do something yourself, you can also use this expression to ask for permission, with a tone of appreciation.

    When you want to do something yourself, you can also use this expression to ask for permission, with a tone of appreciation.

  6. In the farm-work example, I help my grandfather with the work; he allows me to take part.

    In the farm-work example, I help my grandfather with the work; he allows me to take part.

  7. 手伝ってもらいました means the other person helped me; with the causative form added, I am the one doing the helping.

    手伝ってもらいました means the other person helped me; with the causative form added, I am the one doing the helping.

  8. In the presentation example, the school gives me many chances to speak; the speaker sees this as a valuable experience.

    In the presentation example, the school gives me many chances to speak; the speaker sees this as a valuable experience.

Example sentences

  • 夏休みなつやすみnatsuyasumiに、ni、祖父そふsofuのno家いえieでde畑はたけhatakeのno仕事しごとshigotoをo手伝わせてつだわせtetsudawase

In a conversation

Check yourself

  1. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  3. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    During summer vacation, I was allowed to help with farm work at my grandfather's house.

  4. Level 3 · Use

    What goes in the blank?

    夏休みに、祖父の家で畑の仕事を____。

    During summer vacation, I was allowed to help with the farm work at my grandfather's house.

More grammar in this theme

  • 〜させてもらいますgratefully be allowed to

Keep practising

Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme
てte
もらいました。moraimashita。

During the summer vacation, I was allowed to help with the farm work at my grandfather's house.

  • A
    子供こどものころ、家いえでどんなお手伝いおてつだいをしていましたか。

    A: What kind of chores were you allowed to help with at home when you were a child?

  • B
    私わたしはわ庭にわの水やりみずやりを任せまかせてもらいました。嬉しかったです。(うれしかったです。Dd0704)ななひゃくよん

    B: I was allowed to be in charge of watering the garden. I was very happy.

  • 子供こどもkodomoのnoころ、koro、私わたしwatashiはわwa学校がっこうgakkouでde発表はっぴょうhappyouをoたくさんtakusanさせsaseてteもらいました。moraimashita。

    When I was a child, I was given many opportunities to give presentations at school.

  • A
    それはわいい経験けいけんですね。私わたしはわよく留守るす番ばんをさせてもらいました。

    A: That's a good experience. I was often allowed to stay home alone.

    • 〜させますmake or let someone act
    〜のを見ましたsaw someone do
    〜ていましたpast repeated habit
    Nばかり／Vてばかりいますkeep doing the same thing
    〜させられますbe made to do
    〜させてくれますkindly let me do
    Previous〜させてくれます