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Unit 26: To Make Someone Do (-게 하다)

When you make or let someone do something, you are using the causative form. In Easy Korean, the most standard way to do this is attaching -게 하다 to a verb or adjective.

Structure

Verb / Adjective Stem + -게 하다

  • 일하다 (to work) -> 일하게 하다 (to make someone work)
  • 웃다 (to laugh) -> 웃게 하다 (to make someone laugh)
  • 화나다 (to be angry) -> 화나게 하다 (to make someone angry)

Usage

Usually, the person who is made to do the action is marked with -에게 (to) or -를/을. - 엄마가 아이에게 책을 읽게 했어요. (Mom made the child read a book.) - 친구가 저를 화나게 했어요. (My friend made me angry.)

Examples

  • 이 노래는 저를 행복하게 해요. (This song makes me happy.)
  • 밖에서 기다리게 해서 미안해요. (I am sorry for making you wait outside.)