させてもらう

The structure させてもらう combines the causative て-form of a verb with もらう (to receive). It expresses the idea of receiving permission to do something, often with a sense of gratitude or humility. It can be translated as "to have the honor of doing," "to be allowed to do," or "to take the liberty of doing."

Basic usage – receiving permission gratefully

The speaker performs the action, but frames it as something they were allowed or permitted to do by someone else. This conveys appreciation toward the person who granted that permission.

Requesting permission

させてもらう is used when asking for permission to do something, often in the form させてもらえますか or させてもらえないでしょうか.

Assertive / declarative use

In some contexts, させてもらう is used to announce one's own action with a tone of determination, as in "I'm going to go ahead and do X." The speaker presents the action as if seeking permission, but is actually stating their intent.

Formation

The causative て-form is formed as follows:

• 五段 (Godan): Change the final う-row kana to the あ-row + せてもらう (e.g. よむ読む → 読ませてもらう, いく行く → 行かせてもらう)
• 一段 (Ichidan): Remove る and add させてもらう (e.g. たべる食べる → 食べさせてもらう)
• Irregular:する → させてもらう, くる来る → 来させてもらう

させていただく – the polite equivalent

In formal or business situations, させていただく is used instead of させてもらう. It is the humble (謙譲語) equivalent and is extremely common in polite Japanese.

Overuse of させていただく in casual contexts can sound stiff or excessively formal.