N5Grammar

くれる

To give (me), To be given

Structure

Giver^(*)は⁽¹⁾ + Recipient^(*)に + Object^(*)をくれる

Recipient^(*)に + Giver^(*)は⁽¹⁾ + Object^(*)をくれる

Giver^(*)は⁽¹⁾ + Object^(*)を + Recipient^(*)にくれる

^(*) Giver, Recipent and Object are Nouns
⁽¹⁾ が

Explanation

In Japanese, giving and receiving are typically expressed with a trio of specialized verbs: くれる, あげる, and もらう. The verb くれる specifically means 'to give' when the recipient is you or someone close to you (your 'in-group').

兄(あに)はときどき古(ふる)い服(ふく)をくれる。
My older brother sometimes gives me his old clothes.
毎年(まいとし)、友達(ともだち)が誕生日(たんじょうび)プレゼントをくれる。
Every year, my friend gives me a birthday present.
父(ちち)は週末(しゅうまつ)私(わたし)におこづかいをくれる。
My dad gives me an allowance on the weekend.

The verbs くれる and あげる follow standard particle patterns. The particle が identifies the giver (the subject), while に indicates the receiver of the action. As expected, the particle を marks the direct object, which is the item being given.

In sentences using くれる, it is common to leave out the giver or the recipient. This happens when their identities are clear from the surrounding situation, or when the main focus is on the object being transferred.

姉(あね)が本(ほん)をくれた。
My older sister gave me a book.
私(わたし)に本(ほん)をくれた。
Someone gave me a book.

As these examples show, omitting information does not change the underlying meaning of the sentence.

Fun Fact

An individual's 'in-group' can vary, but it generally includes close circles like family members, teammates, or fellow members of a club or organization to which you belong.

The giver is always considered someone from an 'out-group' relative to the recipient.

先生(せんせい)が弟(おとうと)にシールをくれた。
The teacher gave my little brother a sticker.
会社(かいしゃ)の田中(たなか)さんが娘(むすめ)にジュースをくれた。
My coworker, Tanaka-san, gave my daughter some juice.

Caution

If the speaker (or a member of their in-group) gives an item to someone outside of that group, the verb あげる must be used instead of くれる.

Examples

祖母(そぼ)は私(わたし)においしいケーキをくれた。

My grandma gave me a delicious cake. (I was given)

姉(あね)は(私(わたし)に)暖(あたた)かいマフラーをくれた。

My older sister gave me a warm scarf. (I was given)

叔父(おじ)さんは(僕(ぼく)に)面白(おもしろ)い本(ほん)をくれた。

My uncle gave me an interesting book. (I was given)

彼女(かのじょ)が(私(わたし)に)素敵(すてき)な写真(しゃしん)をくれて、嬉(うれ)しいです。

She gave me a lovely picture, so I am happy. (I was given)

近所(きんじょ)の人(ひと)は毎日(まいにち)私(わたし)の弟(おとうと)にお菓子(かし)をくれる。

My neighbor gives my younger brother snacks every day. (My younger brother is given)

誰(だれ)かが(私(わたし)に)ハンカチをくれた。

Someone gave me a handkerchief. (I was given)

先生(せんせい)が(私(わたし)に)アドバイスをくれた。

My teacher gave me some advice. (I was given)

おじいちゃんはいつも(僕(ぼく)に)お小遣(こづか)いをくれる。

My grandpa always gives me pocket money. (I am given)

先生(せんせい)の言葉(ことば)が(私(わたし)に)きっかけをくれた。

My teacher's words gave me the push I needed. (Literally - gave me a start)

毎年(まいとし)両親(りょうしん)は私(わたし)たちにプレゼントをくれる。

Our parents give us presents every year. (We are given)

部長(ぶちょう)は(私(わたし)に)新(あたら)しいパソコンをくれた。

My department manager gave me a new computer. (I was given)

姉(あね)は僕(ぼく)に古着(ふるぎ)をくれるって。

(Someone said) my older sister will give me her old clothes. (I will be given)