게 하다

Overview

The grammatical pattern -게 하다 is a versatile causative expression in Korean, used to convey that the subject of the sentence causes, makes, allows, or enables another person or entity to perform an action or enter a particular state. It highlights the influence or control the subject has over the action or condition of the object.

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Usage

-게 하다 is primarily used to form causative sentences. It can express:

• Direct Causation/Command: When the subject directly makes or orders someone to do something.
• Permission/Allowance: When the subject allows or lets someone do something.
• Indirect Causation/Enabling: When the subject creates the conditions or situation that causes something to happen, even without direct command.

It attaches to the verb stem or adjective stem. The action or state described by the verb/adjective is performed by the object of the main clause, while the subject of the main clause is the one causing or allowing it.

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Conjugation Rules

-게 하다 is straightforward to conjugate as it simply attaches -게 to the verb or adjective stem, followed by the verb 하다 (to do/make).

• Verb/Adjective Stem + -게 하다
• Example: 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹게 하다 (to make someone eat)
• Example: 예쁘다 (to be pretty) -> 예쁘게 하다 (to make something pretty)

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Knowledge Plus

Comparison with 사동사 (Causative Verbs): While -게 하다 is a general causative expression, Korean also has specific causative verbs (사동사) formed by adding suffixes like -이-, -히-, -리-, -기-, -우-, -구-, -추- to verb stems (e.g., 먹다 -> 먹이다, 입다 -> 입히다). -게 하다 is more widely applicable and can be used with almost any verb or adjective, whereas 사동사 are limited to certain verbs. -게 하다 often implies a more indirect or permissive causation compared to the directness of some 사동사.

Passive vs. Causative: Do not confuse -게 하다 with passive constructions. -게 하다 focuses on the agent causing the action, while passive constructions focus on the recipient of the action.

Common Usage: It's frequently used in expressions like '기분 좋게 하다' (to make someone feel good), '웃게 하다' (to make someone laugh), '울게 하다' (to make someone cry).