Video
Let’s watch this short video for a quick overview.
Source: gokigen japanese official YouTube Channel
Introduction
Want to say “someone gave me something” in Japanese?
In English, you use ‘give’ or ‘receive’ depending on the action. In Japanese, however, there’s an added layer of perspective, especially when it comes to the act of giving towards you or your group. This is where the verb くれる comes in.
Let’s learn how to use くれる to express friendly giving from someone to you — and how it differs from あげる and もらう!
1. Grammar Structure
Pattern: [Giver] が / は わたし に [Object] を くれる
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 姉が（私に）ぬいぐるみをくれました。 Ane ga (watashi ni) nuigurumi o kuremashita. | My sister gave me a stuffed toy. |
くれる is a verb used to express the act of giving, similar to あげる. However, くれる is used when someone else gives something to the speaker.
It emphasizes that the speaker is the receiver, and is describing the giving action from the receiver’s perspective. The action is described from the receiver’s point of view — in this case, your point of view.
2. くれる vs あげる vs もらう
| Verb | Perspective | Who is the receiver? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| あげる | Giver’s view (giving outwards from speaker’s group) | Other person | 私は友だちに本をあげました。 I gave the book to a friend. |
| もらう | Receiver’s view (receiving inwards towards speaker’s group) | Speaker or in-group person | 私は友だちから本をもらいました。 I received the book from a friend. |
| くれる | Receiver’s view | Speaker or someone close | 友だちが私に本をくれました。 A friend gave me a book. |
📝 The key: くれる is only used when you or your in-group is the receiver.
3. Example Sentences
- 父が（私に）お金をくれました。
→ My father gave me money. - 姉が（私に）帽子をくれました。
→ My older sister gave me a hat. - 先生が（私に）辞書をくれました。
→ The teacher gave me a dictionary. - 弟は私に誕生日プレゼントをくれました。
→ My little brother gave me a birthday present. - 大家さんが私に野菜をくれました。
→ The landlord gave me vegetables.
💡 Note: The phrase 私に is often omitted in speech if it’s obvious that you’re the receiver.
If the receiver is not 私 (e.g., another in-group member like your sister), then the に particle is necessary for that receiver.
Example: 友達が妹に本をくれました。= My friend gave a book to my younger sister.
4. Practice Time!
Try to answer the following questions. Answers are examples only.
- 去年の誕生日、だれが何をくれましたか？ (Who gave you what on your birthday last year?)
→ 彼氏 / 彼女 がバッグをくれました。(My boyfriend / girlfriend gave me a bag.) - クリスマスに、だれがプレゼントをくれますか？ (Who gives you a present at Christmas?)
→ 母がケーキをくれます。(My mom gives me cake.) - 最近、だれかがプレゼントをくれましたか？ (Has anyone given you a present recently?)
→ はい、友だちがネックレスをくれました。(Yes, my friend gave me a necklace.)
5. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
- QWhat is the core meaning and usage of くれる (kureru)?
- A
くれる (kureru) is a verb used when someone gives something to you or to someone within your in-group (e.g., family members, close friends, colleagues at your company). It expresses an action of giving that comes inward towards the speaker’s perspective or their group, often implying a benefit or kindness received by the speaker/in-group.
- QHow does くれる differ from あげる (ageru) and もらう (morau)?
- A
All three verbs describe giving or receiving, but they differ based on the perspective and direction of the action:
- あげる (ageru): The act of giving is directed outward from the speaker or their in-group to someone else (outside the group, or someone equal/inferior). Example: 私は友だちに本をあげました。(I gave a book to my friend.)
- もらう (morau): The act of receiving is directed inward towards the speaker or their in-group from someone else. The speaker (or in-group member) is the subject of the action. Example: 私は友だちから本をもらいました。(I received a book from my friend.)
- くれる (kureru): The act of giving is directed inward towards the speaker or their in-group from someone else. The giver is the subject of the action. Example: 友だちが私に本をくれました。(My friend gave me a book.) While もらう focuses on the receiver’s action, くれる focuses on the giver’s action benefiting the speaker/in-group.
- QCan くれる be used for people other than “me” as the receiver?
- A
Yes. While it’s most commonly used for the speaker as the recipient, you can use くれる when someone in your in-group (e.g., your family member, your close friend, your company colleague) receives something from someone else. The key is that the recipient is considered “on your side.”
Example: 友だちが私の妹にプレゼントをくれました。(Tomodachi ga watashi no imouto ni purezento o kuremashita.) – My friend gave a present to my younger sister. (Here, your sister is in your in-group.)
- QAre there more polite or humble forms of くれる?
- A
Yes. For showing higher respect when someone gives something to you (especially from someone of higher status), you use:
くださる (kudasaru): This is the honorific form of くれる. Example: 先生が本をくださいました。(Sensei ga hon o kudasaimashita.) – The teacher gave me a book.
When expressing that you received something from a superior, you would use the humble form いただく (itadaku) (derived from もらう), not くれる directly. Example: 先生から本をいただきました。(Sensei kara hon o itadakimashita.) – I received a book from the teacher.
- QHow do I make くれる negative (e.g., “someone didn’t give me something”)?
- A
To make くれる negative, you use its plain [short] negative form, くれない (kurenai), or the polite negative form, くれません (kuremasen).
- 友だちは私にプレゼントをくれませんでした。(Tomodachi wa watashi ni purezento o kuremasen deshita.) – My friend didn’t give me a present.
- あの人は私に何もくれない。(Ano hito wa watashi ni nani mo kurenai.) – That person doesn’t give me anything.
Conclusion
Now you can:
✅ Use くれる to say “someone gives me something”
✅ Understand the perspective difference with あげる and もらう
✅ Talk about gifts, help, and kindness directed at you!
🎯 Challenge: Write 3 things people have given you recently using くれる!
Want to improve your Japanese with real conversations?
Our native Japanese instructors at gokigen japanese can help you perfect your pronunciation and learn real-life usage.
Whether you’re completely new to Japanese or looking to refine your skills, book a one-on-one session.
