Part 36.1 - 이/히/리/기 + 하다 — Cause someone to do / Make happen
Basic Information
Use 이/히/리/기 + 하다 to express **causative voice** — when you make someone do something, or cause something to happen.
It is often translated as:
- make (someone) do (something)
- have (someone) do (something)
- cause (something) to happen
Grammar Rule
Some verbs form the causative by adding **이/히/리/기** to the stem, followed by **하다**:
- 보다 → 보이다 (to make see → to show)
- 입다 → 입히다 (to make wear → to dress someone)
- 앉다 → 앉히다 (to make sit → to seat someone)
- 살다 → 살리다 (to make live → to save someone)
- 죽다 → 죽이다 (to make die → to kill)
Usage
Use 이/히/리/기 + 하다 to:
- Say that you made someone do something
- Say that something was caused to happen
- Give commands or indirect orders
Example Sentences
| Korean |
English |
| 아이를 앉혔어요. |
I made the child sit. |
| 옷을 입혔어요. |
I dressed the child. |
| 문을 열게 했어요. |
I made them open the door. |
| 아이에게 책을 읽게 했어요. |
I made the child read a book. |
| 그는 그 문제를 해결하게 했어요. |
He had the problem solved. |
Important Notes
- Not all verbs use the **이/히/리/기** pattern; many causatives are expressed using **verb + 게 하다** → very productive pattern.
- **Verb stem + 게 하다** = make/cause (someone) to do something.
- For some basic verbs there are **irregular causative forms** (ex. 죽다 → 죽이다).
Summary
Use 이/히/리/기 + 하다 or **verb + 게 하다** to:
- Make someone do something
- Cause an action to happen
- Give indirect commands
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Verb stem + 이/히/리/기 + 하다 → make/cause action
- Verb stem + 게 하다 → make/cause action (very common)
- 앉히다 → to seat someone
- 입히다 → to dress someone
- 죽이다 → to kill
End of Lesson
Now you know how to use **causative forms** in Korean — both with **이/히/리/기 + 하다** and **verb + 게 하다**.
This is a very useful pattern for giving instructions, expressing influence, and talking about indirect actions! 🎉