In Japanese, actions of giving and receiving are expressed using three key verbs:
- あげます (agemasu) – to give (to others)
- もらいます (moraimasu) – to receive
- くれます (kuremasu) – to give (to me or someone close to me)
???? 1. A は B に N を あげます – A gives B something
This structure is used when someone gives something to another person.
Structure:
A は B に N を あげます
= A gives N to B
Examples:
- わたしは 友だちに プレゼントを あげます。
→ I give a present to my friend. - 母は 弟に ケーキを あげました。
→ My mother gave a cake to my younger brother. - 先生は 学生に 本を あげました。
→ The teacher gave a book to the students.
Note: Use あげます only when the speaker is giving something to others or someone else is giving to a third party. Do not use あげます when someone gives something to the speaker.
???? 2. A は B に / から N を もらいます – A receives something from B
This pattern is used when someone receives something from another person.
Structure:
A は B に / から N を もらいます
= A receives N from B
???? You can use either に or から, but から emphasizes the source more.
Examples:
- わたしは 友だちに プレゼントを もらいました。
→ I received a present from my friend. - たなかさんは 先生から 本を もらいました。
→ Mr. Tanaka got a book from the teacher. - 子どもは おばあさんに お金を もらいました。
→ The child received money from the grandmother.
Note: The subject is always the receiver. もらいます is used when the speaker or another person receives something from someone.
???? 3. B は A に N を くれます – B gives something to A (the speaker)
Use くれます when someone gives something to me or to someone close to me (like a family member).
Structure:
B は (わたしに) N を くれます
= B gives N to me
Examples:
- 母は わたしに りんごを くれました。
→ My mother gave me an apple. - 先生は わたしに 本を くれました。
→ The teacher gave me a book. - 友だちは 弟に おもちゃを くれました。
→ My friend gave my little brother a toy.
Note: Use くれます only when the recipient is “me” or someone closely related to the speaker. Do not use it when the receiver is someone else not related to the speaker.
???? Quick Comparison Table
| Pattern | Meaning | Subject | Receiver |
|---|---|---|---|
| A は B に N を あげます | A gives N to B | A | B |
| A は B に/から N を もらいます | A receives N from B | A | A |
| B は A に N を くれます | B gives N to A (me) | B | A (me) |
???? Practice Quiz
- I received a pen from my friend.
→ わたしは 友だちに ペンを __________。 - I gave a book to my younger sister.
→ わたしは いもうとに 本を __________。 - My grandfather gave me a cake.
→ おじいさんは わたしに ケーキを __________。
✅ Answers:
- もらいました
- あげました
- くれました
???? Vocabulary List
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| あげます | agemasu | to give |
| もらいます | moraimasu | to receive |
| くれます | kuremasu | to give (to me) |
| 友だち | ともだち | friend |
| 先生 | せんせい | teacher |
| 母 | はは | mother |
| 弟 | おとうと | younger brother |
| プレゼント | purezento | present |
| 本 | ほん | book |
| お金 | おかね | money |
Now you know how to express giving and receiving in Japanese! Mastering あげます, もらいます, and くれます will help you communicate more naturally in daily life.
???? Related Grammar & Vocabulary
- JLPT N5 Grammar List – 60 Essential Grammar Points
- 何/誰/どこ/いつ/どう/どうして/どの/どんな – How to Ask Questions
- JLPT N5 Japanese Comparison Structures
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