Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 10: 9/12

くれるTo give (me), To be given

For both くれる and あげる, に marks the recipient

Structure

Giver(*)は(1) + Recipient(*)に + Object(*)をくれる

Recipient(*)に + Giver(*)は(1) + Object(*)をくれる

Giver(*)は(1) + Object(*)を + Recipient(*)にくれる

(*) Giver, Recipent and Object are Nouns
(1) が

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Verb

  • Word Type

    Independent Word

  • Register

    Standard

  • Rare Kanji

    呉れる

About くれる

くれる is generally taught as part of a set of 3 verbs that are regularly used for giving and receiving in Japanese. These verbs are くれる, あげる, and もらう. くれる means 'to give' (to you, or someone that is part of your 'in' group).

With くれる and あげる, they both function in the regular way you would expect (regarding particles). This means that が will always mark the giver (the person performing the action), and に will mark the recipient (the person that is the 'destination' of the thing that is given). This means that を will be used to mark the 'object' that is given, as is usually the case.

The giver/recipient are often omitted from sentences with くれる, as one/both are usually obvious from context, or the sentence may be focussing on the object.

As can be seen here, the same nuance is kept, even when things are omitted.

Fun Fact

What someone considers their 'in' group will be different for each person, but usually consists of members of your family, clubs that you are in, or something similar that has a 'group' atmosphere (that you are a part of).

The giver will always be someone that is more distant than the people that are in the 'group'.

  • 近所(きんじょ)の人(ひと)が旅行(りょこう)から帰(かえ)って来(き)て、父(ちち)にお土産(みやげ)をくれた。
    When the neighbors return home from traveling, they give my father souvenirs.
  • 先生(せんせい)がクラブ仲間(なかま)のとしこちゃんに花(はな)をくれた。
    The teacher gave flowers to my club member, Toshiko-chan.

Caution

When we want to say that we (or someone else) gave something to someone that is not in our 'in' group, we will need to use あげる instead.

Examples

--:--

    母(はは)は僕(ぼく)にかっこいいペンをくれた。

    My mom gave me a cool pen. (I was given)

    兄(あに)は(私(わたし)に)便利(べんり)な箱(はこ)をくれた。

    My brother gave me a convenient box. (I was given)

    おじいちゃんは(私(わたし)に)古(ふる)い自転車(じてんしゃ)をくれた。

    My grandpa gave me an old bicycle. (I was given)

    彼(かれ)が(私(わたし)に)かわいい靴(くつ)をくれて、嬉(うれ)しいです。

    He gave me some cute shoes, so I am happy. (I was given)

    友達(ともだち)は毎週(まいしゅう)土曜日(どようび)に私(わたし)の母(はは)にクッキーをくれる。

    My friend gives my mom cookies every Saturday. (My mom is given)

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      くれる – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (16 in total)

      • Bazza

        Bazza

        • 近所きんじょの人ひとが旅行りょこうから帰かえって来きて、父ちちにお土産みやげをくれた。

        When the neighbors return home from traveling, they give my father souvenirs.

        That is one of the example sentences and its translation. I thought it was describing a one time event, because of the final くれた. The translation however says ‘give’ rather than ‘gave’, suggesting it is a habit.

        Could you confirm please?

        Thanks in advance!

      • Fuga

        Fuga

        Hey @Bazza !

        This seemed like an input error on our end so we have just fixed it!

      • Bazza

        Bazza

        Awesome - thanks for the quick work on that!

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