Meaning
The causative with いただけませんか emphasizes that the speaker seeks permission from the person who can grant it.
Formation
- Causative せる in the て form + いただけませんか: 休ませていただけませんか
- One of the most deferential ways to ask permission for your own action
When to use it
- Core use
- Humbly asks permission to perform an action
Examples
16 sentences-
明日休ませていただけませんか
Could you allow me to take tomorrow off?
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少し早く帰らせていただけませんか
Could you let me leave a little early?
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この資料をコピーさせていただけませんか
Could you allow me to copy this material?
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会議で説明させていただけませんか
Could you let me explain it at the meeting?
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私にも参加させていただけませんか
Could you allow me to participate too?
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来週まで考えさせていただけませんか
Could you let me think about it until next week?
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小さな荷物を運ばせていただけませんか
Would you be so kind as to let me carry the small luggage?
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この電話を使わせていただけませんか
Would you allow me to use this phone?
8 more examples
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簡単に自己紹介させていただけませんか
Would you allow me to introduce myself briefly?
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台所の窓を開けさせていただけませんか
Would you be so kind as to let me open the kitchen window?
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旅行の写真を見させていただけませんか
Would you be so kind as to let me look at the travel photos?
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少しここで待たせていただけませんか
Would you allow me to wait here for a little while?
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友達の話を聞かせていただけませんか
Could you tell me about your friend?
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ここで写真を撮らせていただけませんか
May I take a photo here?
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その会議に私も出させていただけませんか
Would you allow me to attend that meeting as well?
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晩ご飯の準備をさせていただけませんか
Would you be so kind as to let me prepare dinner?
Important notes
- The speaker deferentially asks permission to perform an action.
Common mistakes
- Use the causative て form: 休ませていただけませんか. 休んでいただけませんか asks someone else to rest.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
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