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Easy Korean - Level 6, Unit 16: To make someone do something (-게 하다)

When you want to say that you made someone do something, or you let someone do something, you can use the causative structure: -게 하다.

Structure Breakdown

  • -게 = an adverbial suffix (so that / in a way that)
  • 하다 = to do

Literally, it means "to do it in a way that [the action happens]." Naturally, it translates to "make [someone do]" or "let [someone do]."

How to Conjugate

This is very simple. Just attach -게 하다 directly to the verb or adjective stem. (No irregular changes are needed because -게 starts with a consonant!)

  • 가다 (to go) -> 가게 하다 (to make/let someone go)
  • 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹게 하다 (to make/let someone eat)
  • 울다 (to cry) -> 울게 하다 (to make someone cry)
  • 웃다 (to laugh) -> 웃게 하다 (to make someone laugh)
  • 화나다 (to be angry) -> 화나게 하다 (to make someone angry)

Make vs. Let

Depending on the context, -게 하다 can mean either forcing someone (make) or allowing someone (let). * 엄마가 저를 밤 10시까지 공부하게 했어요. (Mom made me study until 10 PM. -> Forced) * 엄마가 저를 밤 10시까지 놀게 했어요. (Mom let me play until 10 PM. -> Allowed)

Particle Usage (이/가 vs 을/를 vs 에게/한테)

The particle you use for the person being made to do the action depends on the verb: * Intransitive verb (no object, like 울다, 웃다, 가다): Use 을/를 * 아이를 웃게 했어요. (I made the child laugh.) * Transitive verb (takes an object, like 먹다, 입다, 읽다): Use 에게/한테 * 아이한테 채소를 먹게 했어요. (I made the child eat vegetables.)

Example Sentences

  1. 그 영화는 사람들을 울게 했어요. (That movie made people cry.)
  2. 제 친구가 저를 계속 기다리게 했어요. (My friend kept making me wait.)
  3. 선생님이 학생들에게 숙제를 하게 했어요. (The teacher made the students do their homework.)