Unit 3 - Section 3: 〜てもらう

Practice Quiz

くれる - Giving TO ME (To Give [to me])

Learn to express when someone gives something to you (the speaker) using くれる. This completes the giving/receiving trio.

Basic Pattern

Pattern: [Person] が/は [Thing] を くれる

くれる = someone gives TO ME (from someone else's perspective toward speaker)

友達ともだちが本ほんをくれました。
[Tomodachi ga hon wo kuremashita]
Translation: My friend gave me a book.

Conjugation of くれる

Form Example Translation
Dictionary くれる gives (to me)
ます-form くれます gives (polite, to me)
Past くれました gave (to me)
て-form くれて gave for me (connects)
Negative くれません doesn't give (to me)

Helping WITH an Action

Help/Favor FROM Someone TO ME:

Pattern: [Person] が [Verb て-form] + くれる = "someone does something nice for me"

  • 先生が説明してくれました。 - "The teacher explained it for me." (I appreciate it)
  • 友達が荷物を運んでくれた。 - "My friend carried my luggage for me."
  • 母が朝食を作ってくれます。 - "My mother makes breakfast for me."

Comparison: あげる vs もらう vs くれる

Verb Who gives Who receives Example
あげる I/Speaker Someone else 兄に本をあげた
(I gave brother a book)
もらう Someone else I/Speaker 兄からもらった
(I got from brother)
くれる Someone else I/Speaker 兄がくれた
(Brother gave to me)
Key Difference: もらう vs くれる

Both mean receiving, but:

  • もらう: Neutral description of receiving (I got something from...)
  • くれる: Emphasis on the giver's kindness (Someone kindly gave to me)

Example Sentences

先生せんせいが丁寧ていねいに説明してくれました。
[Sensei ga teinei ni setsumei shite kuremashita]
Translation: The teacher kindly explained it in detail for me.
母ははがおいしい料理りょうりを作ってくれています。
[Haha ga oishii ryouri wo tsukutte kure te imasu]
Translation: My mother is making delicious food for me.
友達ともだちが誕生日たんじょうびに素敵すてきなプレゼントをくれました。
[Tomodachi ga tanjoubi ni suteki na purezento wo kuremashita]
Translation: My friend gave me a wonderful present on my birthday.

Study Tips

Master くれる:
  • Always TO ME: くれる always means someone gives/helps ME specifically
  • Gratitude connotation: Using くれる implies appreciation/kindness
  • Action form: ～てくれる = someone does something nice FOR me
  • Request form: ～てくれませんか = "would you do me the favor?" (polite)
  • Comparison practice: Use all three (あげる、もらう、くれる) in one context
Course Navigation
Study Tips
  • Read each example carefully
  • Practice pronunciation aloud
  • Create your own sentences to reinforce memory
  • Finish the section quiz