Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N3 · Intermediate 3
〜させていただきます~ sasete itadakimasu
humbly do with permission
Use 〜させていただきます to humbly announce your own action when the other person’s permission or consideration is involved.
How it works
With the visitor’s permission, the guide humbly says they will explain, with a note of gratitude.
First put the verb in the causative form, then add 「ていただきます」, as in 「説明させていただきます」.
Use it when you have the other person’s permission and benefit from their consideration. Permission can also be implied.
Longer does not always mean more polite. Without permission or a favor involved, there is no need to replace every 「します」.
In the examples, the guide explains the route and introduces the temple’s history. The visitors listen to the explanation.
Both sentences humbly announce the speaker’s own action. They do not use honorific language to say the visitors will explain.
Example sentences
- それsoreでdeは、wa、これkoreからkara本日honjitsuのnoコースkoosuをo説明setsumeiさせsaseて
In a conversation
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
Well then, I will explain today's course.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
それでは、これから本日のコースを説明____。
Well then, I will now explain today's course.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜させていただきますhumbly do with permission