Tram Nguyen
How to translate these sentences into Korean by using causative verbs ('사동사')? I am struggling with the Korean causative verbs these days but it is difficult a little. As far as I'm aware, the causative verbs are made by adding 이, 히, 리, 기, 우, 추 (the suffixes) to the stem of some verbs. For example, 먹이다 ( <- 먹다), 읽히다 (<- 읽다), 웃기다 (<-웃다), etc. I later figure out that among these most common causative verbs which are listed in my Korean Grammar Book, there are no verbs in '하다' form. 

In that case, am I right if I understand that I can't add 이/히/기/리/우/추 to any verbs in '하다' form to make a 사동사?

In that case, how could I translate this sentence into Korean?
The sentence is as follows: 'Her mother made her wash her face by herself'?
(As she's just a child, she couldn't wash her face and her mother step by step taught her).
It's a little easier for me to translate the sentence 'Her mother made her wear something (using 입히다), read something (using 읽히다), etc. But how about 세수하다?

With 세수하다, I came to the idea that I could add 게 하다 to make it become a 사동사. But as a foreigner learning Korean, I think there is a subtle difference for the meaning if I add 이/히/기/리/우/추 and 게 하다. I understand that if I add 게 하다, I use my words (by speaking out) or use another indirect methods to make someone do something while the use of verbs adding the suffixes is wider. But, if I want to add 이/히/기/리/우/추, is that possible? 



Nov 7, 2018 2:23 PM
Comments · 2
2
Hello!

Tram Nguyen :-)

You brought a very good question today.

그녀의 어머니는 그녀 스스로 세수를 하게 했다. (하게 만들었다.)

V+ -게 하다: It's an expression that tells a person to do something or ask people to do something.

"이, 히, 리,기,우, 구, 추 " These are basically the suffixes that make causative verbs. However, it combines with a limited vocabulary to create a causative verb.

But "-게 하다" is combined with every word to create a verb.

1)어머니가 아이에게 옷을 입힌다.

2)어머니가 아이에게 옷을 입게 한다.

Number 1 is used when a child is still and the mother moves her hand to dress the child.

Number 2 is the mother who asked the child to dress so then dress up herself(himself).

I hope this will answer your questions.:-)

November 7, 2018

Thank you for your very clear clarification :)

I’m pretty sure that you must be a very good and dedicated teacher. Thank you for all your help :)

November 8, 2018