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N5 · Lesson 24

Giving and receiving favours

くれます and favours expressed with 〜てあげます, 〜てもらいます and 〜てくれます.

Grammar

くれます — "to give (to me)"

N1 は に N2 を くれます

くれます is used when someone gives something to the speaker or their family: さんは に お を くれました. あげます can never be used in that direction.

Examples

  • Mr. Yamada gave me flowers.

V て あげます — doing a favour

V て あげます

〜てあげます expresses doing something for someone else's benefit: は さんに を してあげました. Said straight to the person it can sound condescending, so it is avoided with superiors.

Examples

  • I helped my little sister with her homework.

V て もらいます — receiving a favour

N1 は N2 に V て もらいます

〜てもらいます expresses receiving the favour, with gratitude: は さんに の を えてもらいました.

Examples

  • A friend helped me with the move.

V て くれます — a favour done for me

N は [に] V て くれます

〜てくれます highlights that someone did the favour of their own accord for the speaker: は [に]セーターを ってくれました. The に is usually left out.

Examples

  • Ms. Sato drew me a map.

N1 は N2 が V — が inside the sentence

N1 は N2 が V て くれました

When the person who did the favour is new information, they are marked with が: が ってくれましたか。… が ってくれました.

Examples

  • My wife made the bento for me.

Vocabulary

WordReadingMeaning
to give (to me)
to repair, to correct
to take (someone)
to bring (someone)
to accompany [someone]
to introduce (someone)
to guide, to give directions
to explain
grandfather, elderly man
grandmother, elderly woman
preparation
moving house
sweet, candy
homestay
everything, all
by oneself
besides, apart from that
Mother's Day

See this lesson's vocabulary →

See also

The family

Japanese uses different words for your own family and for someone else's.