The causative form of a verb is the form used when the subject of a clause forces or causes another object to perform an action. This is comparable to the English grammar construction "have" + infinitive.
Causatives are formed by adding the suffixes "이", "히", "리", "기", "우" and "추" to the verb stem. The choice of the suffix depends on the type of verb (transitive, intransitive, or descriptive).
|
Suffix |
Verb type |
Examples |
|
이 |
Transitive Intransitive Descriptive |
보이다 "show it" 죽이다 "kill (make die)" 높이다 "raise it (make high)" |
|
히 |
Transitive Intransitive Descriptive |
입히다 "make wear" 앉히다 "seat it" 넓히다 "widen" |
|
리 |
Transitive Intransitive |
알리다 "let know" 살리다 "save (let live)" |
|
기 |
Transitive Intransitive |
감기다 "wash" 웃기다 "make laugh" |
|
우 |
Transitive Intransitive |
새우다 "stay up all night" 깨우다 "awaken" |
|
추 |
Intransitive |
낮추다 "make low" |
Examples:
고양이가 쥐를 죽였습니다. "The cat killed the mouse."
잠자는 사람을 깨우지 말아요. "Let sleeping people sleep. (Don't wake them up.)"
See Also: