させてください

The expression させてください is used to politely request permission to do something. It combines the causative form of a verb (させる / せる) with てください, literally meaning "please make/let me do ~." In natural English, it translates to "please let me ~" or "please allow me to ~."

Formation

To form させてください, first create the causative stem of the verb, then add てください.

• V1 (ichidan/る-verbs): Remove る and add させてください

  • たべる食べる → 食べさせてください
  • みる見る → 見させてください

• V5 (godan/う-verbs): Change the final う-sound to the あ-sound and add せてください

  • いく行く → 行かせてください
  • はなす話す → 話させてください
  • よむ読む → 読ませてください
  • やすむ休む → 休ませてください

• Irregular:

  • する → させてください
  • くる来る → 来させてください (こさせてください)

Requesting permission

The most common use is to ask someone's permission to do something yourself.

Polite self-introduction / offers

させてください is also common in formal or business settings when offering to do something or introducing yourself in a role.

Nuance

This expression is polite and respectful because you are acknowledging that the other person has the authority to grant or deny your request. It is softer and more deferential than simply saying 〜～たいです ("I want to ~"). In very formal contexts, you may hear the even more polite variant させていただけませんか ("would you allow me to ~?").