Causative Suffix (-이/히/리/기/우/추)
-이/히/리/기/우/추 (사동)
Forms causative verbs meaning 'to make/cause someone to do something'.
Pattern
Verb stem + -이/-히/-리/-기/-우/-추 → Causative verb
Explanation
Korean creates causative verbs by adding one of six suffixes to the verb stem: -이, -히, -리, -기, -우, or -추. Like passive suffixes, these must be memorized individually. Common examples: 먹다 (eat) → 먹이다 (feed), 입다 (wear) → 입히다 (dress someone), 알다 (know) → 알리다 (inform), 웃다 (laugh) → 웃기다 (make laugh), 자다 (sleep) → 재우다 (put to sleep), 낮다 (low) → 낮추다 (lower).
Causative verbs indicate that the subject causes or makes someone else do an action. The person being caused to act is marked with 에게: 아이에게 밥을 먹이다 (feed the child). This is different from -게 하다, which is a periphrastic (multi-word) causative that can be used with any verb.
The suffix causatives often have a more direct, physical nuance compared to -게 하다. For example, 아이를 재우다 implies physically putting a child to sleep, while 아이를 자게 하다 could mean allowing or arranging for the child to sleep.
Examples
엄마가 아이에게 밥을 먹여요.
Eommaga aiege babeul meogyeoyo.
The mom feeds the child.
아기를 재웠어요.
Agireul jaewosseoyo.
I put the baby to sleep.
그 이야기가 사람들을 웃겨요.
Geu iyagiga saramdeureul utgyeoyo.
That story makes people laugh.
소식을 친구에게 알렸어요.
Sosigeul chinguege allyeosseoyo.
I informed my friend of the news.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
아이에게 밥을 먹게 했어요.
Correct
아이에게 밥을 먹였어요.
Both are grammatical, but when a suffix causative exists (먹이다), it is preferred for direct causation. -게 하다 suggests indirect causation.
Wrong
아기를 자우다.
Correct
아기를 재우다.
The causative of 자다 is 재우다, not 자우다. The stem vowel changes.
Related Grammar Points
Practice vocabulary from these grammar patterns
Build your vocabulary with science-backed spaced repetition — 30 days free.
Start Practicing