Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 7: 8/18

~て + くれない
won't you?, will you?, could you?, can you?, would you?

These expressions are used with a rising intonation

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb[て]+ くれない
Verb[て]+ もらえない

Could you not
Verb[ないで]+ くれない
Verb[ないで]+ もらえない

Levels of politeness
Verb[て]+ くれません
Verb[て]+ もらえません

Could you not
Verb[ないで]+ くれません
Verb[ないで]+ もらえません

Levels of politeness
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
When used in the negative, てくれない (coming from てくれる), and てもらえない (coming from てもらえる), are similar to the negative question form of じゃないか. They express the following:
てくれない - Would you not do (A) for me?
てもらえない - Could I not have you do (A) for me?
  • 私(わたし)に漢字(かんじ)教(おし)えてくれない
    Would you not teach me kanji? (Would you please teach me kanji?)
  • 道(みち)調(しら)べてもらえない
    Could I get you to look up the way?
In both of these constructions. (the question particle) may be omitted. However, they do sound slightly more polite when is used.
  • 今日(きょう)だけ自転車(じてんしゃ)貸(か)してくれないか?
    Just for today, would you not let me borrow your bike?
  • テレビ点(つ)けてもらえないか。
    Could I get you to turn the TV on for me, please?
Let’s examine the following list, for a scale of the level of politeness.
てくれ, てくれる, てもらえる, てくれない(か), てもらえない(か)
Caution
Despite the above list, てくれ may be considered a bit rude, and should be avoided in most situations.
Slow Male
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お茶(ちゃ)入(い)れてくれない
Won't you make some tea for me?
うちでも働(はたら)いてくれない
Won't you work at my place (for me) too?
まつさに先生(せんせい):「みしまさんちょっとにったさん手伝(てつだ)ってあげてくれない
Matsusani-sensei: "Mishima-san, won't you help Nitta a bit?"
[In this case help for a 3rd person is requested, not for the speaker himself/herself (on behalf of まつさに先生)]
Books
Tobira
Page 282
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 102
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 175
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 53