Please let me with 〜させてください
Grammar: Permission
〜させてください is an expression used when the speaker wants to request permission to do something: “Please let me ~” or “Please allow me to ~.”
It carries the nuance of “I want to do ~, but I need your permission to do so.”
This expression is often used in situations where the speaker feels fairly confident that the other person will give permission.
Usage
It is typically used in polite requests and in situations where permission is required from the listener.
In casual situations, a shortened forms such as 〜させて or 〜させてもいい? may be used. When speaking to superiors, 〜させていただけませんか may be used.
Formation
- 五段 verb stem + causative + て + ください
- 少しだけ話させてください
- "Please let me speak for a moment."
- 一段 verb stem + causative + て + ください
- 子供たちに日本語を教えさせてください
- "Please allow me to teach Japanese to the children."
- する + causative + て + ください
- この仕事をさせてください
- "Please let me do this job."
- 来る + causative + て + ください
- 明日の会議に来させてください
- "Please let me come to tomorrow's meeting."
- The negative is 〜させないでください
- 子供たちに日本語を教えさせないでください
- "Please don't let me teach Japanese to the children."
Further Reading
- Lesson 81: 〜(さ)せてください (marshallyin.com)
- 【N3文法】〜せてください (nihongobu.net)
- 「させてください」の意味と使い方・敬語・文法・ビジネスで (mayonez.jp)
Examples
Please let me help you with 〜させてください

Akari meets Woody as he’s out on a delivery run, but he’s in a spot of trouble because he forgot to bring his map, and there isn’t enough time for him to go back and get it. Akari is familiar with the city, and realizes she can lend him her knowledge.
- 灯里:
- 「あっ… あの!」
- “Ah, um!”
- 「もしも私でよかったら… お手伝いさせてくさだいっ!」
- “If I would be okay... Please let me help you!”
The verb する becomes the causative させる.
Please let me hold the baby pandas with 〜させてください

Rin Rin loves pandas such that when he makes a delivery to Panda’s home, he can’t resist the cuteness of the younger siblings. Panda Mama takes out her purse to cover the cost of the delivery, but Rin Rin refuses to accept payment.
- リンリン:
- 「仔パンダ抱っこさせてくださいッ!!」
- “Please let me hold the baby pandas!!”
- パンダママ:
- 「…いいけど 代金も払うわよ」
- “That's fine, but... I'll also pay the bill!”
The verb する becomes the causative させる.
Please let me pay with 〜せてください

To help ease Kanami’s sorrow due to her situation in life, Makoto offers to let her rent time with him as an older brother. On the first rental, Kanae says she will pay him, something Makoto wasn’t expecting.
- 叶実:
- 「レンタルはお金がかかります」
- “A rental costs money.”
- 「だからお金払わせてください」
- “Therefore, please let me pay.”
The verb 払う becomes the causative 払せる.