GrammarJLPT N5
→ to give
To Give (To Me / My In-Group)
JLPT N5Auxiliary verbNeutral
くれる is a verb meaning "to give" that is used specifically when someone gives something to the speaker or to someone in the speaker's in-group (family, close friends, etc.). Unlike あげる, which describes giving from the speaker's perspective outward, くれる always implies that the receiver is "me" or someone close to me, and it carries a nuance of gratitude — the speaker feels appreciative of the giver's action. This distinction is central to the Japanese system of directional giving verbs, which has no direct equivalent in English. When attached to the て-form of another verb as てくれる, it functions as an auxiliary verb meaning "to do something for me/us," again with an inherent sense of thankfulness. The more polite/honorific equivalent is くださる, which is used when the giver is of higher social status.
Functions
#1 Giving an object to the speaker
Structure
Giver は/が (私に) Object を くれる
友だちが 私に 本を くれた。
Here くれた (past tense of くれる) indicates that the friend gave a book to the speaker. Because the receiver is the speaker, くれる is the correct giving verb to use. If you said あげた instead, it would sound like the speaker gave the book to the friend, reversing the direction entirely. Note that 私に can often be omitted because くれる already implies that the receiver is the speaker.My friend gave me a book.
Structures
- Main verb (giving an object)
- Giver は/が (Receiver に) Object を + くれる
- Auxiliary verb (doing a favor)
- Giver は/が (Receiver に) Verb (て-form) + くれる
Common mistakes
The most common mistake is confusing くれる with あげる. Remember that くれる is always used when someone gives to you or your in-group, while あげる is used when you (or someone) give to others. Saying 友だちが私に本をあげた when you mean your friend gave YOU a book is incorrect — it should be くれた. Another frequent error is using くれる when the speaker is the giver; you cannot say 私が友だちにくれた — use あげた instead. Learners also sometimes forget that the receiver with くれる is often omitted because it is implied to be the speaker, and they may unnecessarily add 私に in every sentence. Finally, be careful not to use くれる in formal situations where くださる would be more appropriate, such as when describing something a boss or teacher did for you in polite speech.
Related
あげるもらうてくれるてあげるてもらうくださる