Speakable Japanese

How to Say "They Give Me" in Japanese: Receiving Favors (Kureru)

Hello! In the previous lesson, you learned to use the expression for when you "give" something to someone. This time, in the second part of the topic on expressions of giving and receiving, we will switch to the opposite point of view.
Let's master the very important verb 「くれます」 (kuremasu), which is used when someone else "gives" something to you or your family ('inner circle' people).

🎯 Lesson Goal

Learn to describe the situation where someone else gives an item to you using the form 「Aは (私に) Bをくれます」 (A wa (watashi ni) B o kuremasu)!

Step 1 Discover

Let's look at how this is used in a real conversation. Maria notices Sato has something new.

👩
Maria

佐藤さん、そのネクタイ素敵ですね。

(Sato-san, sono nekutai suteki desu ne. - Mr. Sato, that tie is lovely.)

👨
Sato

ありがとうございます。誕生日に、姉が（私に）くれました。

(Arigatou gozaimasu. Tanjoubi ni, ane ga(watashi ni) kuremashita. - Thank you. My older sister gave it to me for my birthday.)

💡

Did you notice?

Sato says "ane ga kuremashita" (my sister gave). Because the receiver is obviously Sato himself, he naturally omits "watashi ni" (to me). Understanding this inward-facing action is the key to natural Japanese!

Step 2 The Pattern

Here is the basic structure for describing when you receive a favor or an item.

Basic Chunk

が 私に を くれます。

( ga watashi ni o kuremasu.)

🔑 Key Point: Inward Action

While あげます (agemasu) is an outward action (You → Others), くれます (kuremasu) is used exclusively when an outer circle person gives something to you or your inner circle.

🌟 Pro Tip: Drop "Watashi ni"

Just like Sato did in Step 1, native speakers often omit "Watashi ni" (to me). Since 'kuremasu' already implies the item is coming to you, saying it is usually unnecessary!

Step 3 Pattern Practice

Keep the chunk exactly the same, but swap the words. Read these out loud!

  • Friend ➔ Present Tomodachi / Purezento

    友達が プレゼント をくれました。

    (Tomodachi ga purezento o kuremashita.)

  • Teacher ➔ Book Sensei / Hon

    先生が 本 をくれました。

    (Sensei ga hon o kuremashita.)

  • Neighbor ➔ Souvenir Tonari no hito / O-miyage

    隣の人が お土産 をくれました。

    (Tonari no hito ga o-miyage o kuremashita.)

Step 4 Make It Yours!

This is the most important step! Recall a time when you received something. Pick words from the Cheat Sheet below to complete your sentences.

👉 GIVER が ITEM を くれました。

Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

〈Giver〉

  • ともだち tomodachi (friend)
  • せんせい sensei (teacher)
  • かのじょ / かれ kanojo / kare (she / he)
  • かぞく kazoku (family)

〈Item〉

  • はな hana (flowers)
  • チョコレート chokore-to (chocolate)
  • アドバイス adobaisu (advice)
  • チケット chiketto (ticket)

Bonus Go Beyond the Basics

In real life, you'll also need to say someone "did not give" you something, and speak casually with friends. Here’s a quick guide!

🙅‍♀️ 1. Did NOT give (Negative)

Basic / Formal (Past)

お土産を くれませんでした。

(o-miyage o kuremasen deshita.)

Casual (Friends)

お土産を くれなかった。

(o-miyage o kurenakatta.)

🤝 2. Friendly & Casual (Gave)

Just the word

友達がプレゼントを くれた。

(Tomodachi ga purezento o kureta.)

Asking a favor (Will you give...?)

これ、くれる？

(Kore, kureru?)

Summary Lesson Review

Someone Gives to You: Use 〜をくれます (o kuremasu) when someone outside your circle gives an item to you or your family.

Dropping "Watashi ni": Native speakers often omit 私に (watashi ni) because the verb inherently means the item is coming to you.

Negative Form: To say someone didn't give you something, use くれませんでした (kuremasen deshita).

Practice Drill

1 / X Polite

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