Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 7: 2/18

～てくれる

To do something for someone (usually you)

Receiver's point of view

Structure

Verb［て］+ くれる
Verb［ないで］+ くれる

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Rare Kanji

呉れる

About てくれる

The verb 呉(く)れる in Japanese, is very similar to 与(あた)える (to bestow). The primary difference is that 呉(く)れる (primarily written in hiragana) means to 'bestow to the speaker' (or someone in the speakers inner circle).
In this way, てくれる is the opposite of てあげる, which conveys that someone (usually the speaker) gives (an action) to another person that is outside of their inner circle. てくれる is commonly translated as 'would you do (A) for me', as a question, or 'someone did (A) for me', as a statement.
  • おばあちゃんはいつも美味(おい)しいご飯(はん)を作(つく)ってくれる。
    Grandma always makes delicious food for us!
  • 友達(ともだち)が旅行(りょこう)から帰(かえ)ってくるとお土産(みやげ)を持(も)って来(き)てくれる。
    When my friend comes back from vacation, they bring me souvenirs.
  • パパ、電気(でんき)を消(け)してくれる？
    Dad, can you turn the lights off for me?
When asking for a favor, てくれる can be shortened to てくれ. However, this is very casual, and should not be used with strangers (or anyone that you do not know well). As an English equivalent, てくれ sounds similar to phrases like 'would ya do (A)', or 'could ya do (A)?'
  • お願(ねが)いだから急(いそ)いでくれ。
    I'm begging you, could ya hurry it up (for me)?
Fun Fact
てくれる is one of the most casual ways to ask for a favor, with てもらう being slightly more polite. ていただく (the humble speech variation of てくれる) is even more polite than either of these!
  • 遊園地(ゆうえんち)に連(つ)れて行(い)ってくれる。
    Someone will take me to the amusement park. (They are taking me for my benefit)
  • 遊園地(ゆうえんち)に連(つ)れて行(い)ってもらう。
    Someone is taking me to the amusement park. (I am having someone take me)
  • 遊園地(ゆうえんち)に連(つ)れて行(い)って頂(いただ)く。
    Someone is taking me to the amusement park. (I am being bestowed the act of being taken)

Examples

  • あのグラスをここに持(も)ってきてくれる？

    Would you bring me that glass?

    • 私(わたし)の友達(ともだち)はいつも相談(そうだん)を聞(き)いてくれる。

      My friend always does me the favor of listening to my problems.

      • 私(わたし)を愛(あい)してくれますか。

        Will you love me?

        • 食(た)べる前(まえ)にテーブルの上(うえ)を綺麗(きれい)にしてくれますか。

          Before we eat, could you clean the table for me?

          • ママが書(か)きやすいペンを買(か)ってくれた。

            My mom bought a pen that is easy to write with. (For me)

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            てくれる – Grammar Discussion

            Most Recent Replies (31 in total)

            • okayfrog

              okayfrog

              If that’s the case, I feel like there should be a better explanation. Every single other example sentence makes sure to have “me” or “for me” in them except for this one. It is very confusing.

            • Fuga

              Fuga

              Hey @okayfrog !

              The translation of this sentence could change depending on context.

              The first one would be ‘Santa, what did you bring for me?’. This sentence is from the point of view of the receiver speaking to Santa.
              The second would be ’ What did Santa bring for you? '. This one is the point of view from a parent to a child asking what Santa brought for them.

              Since this sentence does not give extra context on who is speaking, I have changed the translation to fit the first context to avoid further confusion!

            • okayfrog

              okayfrog

              Great to hear, thank you.

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