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)を教(おし)えてくれない?
Would you not teach me kanji? (Would you please teach me kanji?)
-
道(みち)を調(しら)べてもらえない?
Could I get you to look up the way?
In both of these constructions.
か (the question particle) may be omitted. However, they do sound slightly more polite when
か is used.
-
今日(きょう)だけ自転車(じてんしゃ)を貸(か)してくれないか?
Just for today, would you not let me borrow your bike?
-
テレビを点(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)
Despite the above list, てくれ may be considered a bit rude, and should be avoided in most situations.