🔄 Master Korean Causative Verbs: 시키다, 먹이다, 앉히다 & More
Causative verbs allow you to express that someone causes another person to do something. In Korean, this is often done with specific causative verb forms. This guide breaks down how to use verbs like 시키다, 먹이다, and 앉히다 with clear explanations and examples.
📚 Table of Contents
1. What Are Causative Verbs?
Causative verbs show that someone causes another to perform an action. For example, instead of "He sits," you say "I made him sit."
In Korean, these verbs are either:
- Native causative forms (먹이다, 앉히다, etc.)
- Using 시키다 to express "make someone do something"
2. Common Patterns
Here are a few common patterns for causative constructions in Korean:
- 먹다 → 먹이다 (to eat → to feed)
- 앉다 → 앉히다 (to sit → to seat someone)
- 알다 → 알리다 (to know → to let someone know)
- 하다 → 시키다 (to do → to make someone do)
3. Example Sentences
Here are a few helpful examples:
- 한국어: 나는 아이에게 밥을 먹였어요.
발음: na-neun a-i-e-ge bab-eul meo-gyeot-seo-yo
영어: I fed the child. - 한국어: 그는 나를 앉혔어요.
발음: geu-neun na-reul an-chyeot-seo-yo
영어: He made me sit. - 한국어: 선생님이 숙제를 시켰어요.
발음: seon-saeng-ni-mi suk-je-reul si-kyeot-seo-yo
영어: The teacher made us do homework. - 한국어: 이 소식을 모두에게 알렸어요.
발음: i so-si-geul mo-du-e-ge al-ryeot-seo-yo
영어: I informed everyone of the news. - 한국어: 엄마가 동생을 재웠어요.
발음: eom-ma-ga dong-saeng-eul jae-wot-seo-yo
영어: Mom put the little sibling to sleep.
4. Usage Tips
- 시키다 is often used with Sino-Korean nouns: 운동시키다, 청소시키다, 공부시키다.
- Causative forms may look like passive forms but have different meanings.
- Pay attention to intonation—it can help clarify whether you're causing or simply observing an action.
5. 🤔 Did you know?
Korean parents often say “공부해!” (Study!) and follow up with “공부시키는 것도 힘들다...” which means “It’s hard even to make them study...” The use of causative verbs is deeply rooted in everyday Korean expressions, especially in parenting and education!
🎓 Practice with a Tutor on italki
Want to get real-life practice using causative forms in conversation? Book a class with me on italki and let’s take your Korean to the next level!
