Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 7: 2/18

~てくれる
To do something for someone (usually you)

Receiver's point of view

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb[て]+ くれる
Verb[ないで]+ くれる

Politeness Levels
Verb[て]+ くれます
Verb[ないで]+ くれます

Politeness Levels
Details
Register Polite
使用域 敬語
呉れる
Information
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.
  • おばあちゃんいつも美味(おい)しご飯(はん)作(つく)ってくれる
    Grandma always makes delicious food for us!
  • 友達(ともだち)旅行(りょこう)から帰(かえ)ってくるお土産(みやげ)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)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)いから急(いそ)でくれ
    I'm begging you, could ya hurry it up?
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 謙譲語(けんじょうご) 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)
Slow Male
Hide All
Hide Japanese
Hide English
あのグラスここ持(も)ってきてくれ
Would you bring me that glass?
Play  
私(わたし)友達(ともだち)いつも相談(そうだん)聞(き)いてくれる
My friend always does me the favor of listening to my problems.
Play  
私(わたし)愛(あい)してくれます
Will you love me?
Play  
Books
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 216
Genki II 1st Edition
Page 34 & 74
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 56 & 100
みんなの日本語 I
Page 152 [CH 24]
みんなの日本語 II
Page 114 [CH 43]
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 172