Genki Grammar #92: Mastering -teageru / -tekureru / -temorau

Introduction

In Genki Grammar #85, we learned that あげる (ageru), くれる (kureru), and もらう (morau) are verbs used to describe giving and receiving things. In this post, we will explore how these verbs function as helping verbs when combined with the te-form of other verbs. These combinations allow you to describe actions as services or favors given to or received from others.

What it means

When you add あげる, くれる, or もらう to the te-form of a verb, it changes the verb’s meaning to focus on who is benefiting from the action.

• てあげる (teageru) is used when you do something for someone else, or when someone does something for another person.
• てくれる (tekureru) is used when someone does something for you or someone close to you.
• てもらう (temorau) is used when you get someone to do something for you, or when you receive the benefit of someone’s action.

Examples

1. てあげる (teageru)
   You use てあげる when you or someone else does something for another person.

• 私は弟にお金を貸してあげました。(Watashi wa otouto ni okane o kashite agemashita.)
  I lent my brother money (as a favor).

2. てくれる (tekureru)
   てくれる is used when someone does something for you or for someone close to you.

• 友だちが宿題を手伝ってくれます。(Tomodachi ga shukudai o tetsudatte kuremasu.)
  A friend helps me with my homework (for which I am grateful).

3. てもらう (temorau)
   てもらう is used when you receive the benefit of someone’s action or persuade someone to help you.

• 私は友だちに宿題を手伝ってもらいました。(Watashi wa tomodachi ni shukudai o tetsudatte moraimashita.)
  I got a friend to help me with my homework.

Note

Use あげる when the action is done for someone else, while くれる is used when someone does something for you.

もらう shifts the focus to the receiver, indicating that you are benefiting from someone else’s action.

Note on Particles:

The choice of particle for indicating the person in actions involving giving or receiving services depends on the verb used. Here’s how to choose between を, に, and ために based on the verb:

1. に: Used when the verb involves transferring something or doing something for someone’s benefit. This is commonly seen with verbs like “教える” (to teach) and “貸す” (to lend).
   • 私は友だちに本を貸してあげました。
     (Watashi wa tomodachi ni hon o kashite agemashita.)
     I lent my friend a book.
2. を: Used when the verb directly involves an action towards someone, such as taking them somewhere. Verbs like “連れていく” (to take someone) use を to indicate the person.
   • りくさんが私を駅に連れていってくれました。
     (Riku-san ga watashi o eki ni tsureteitte kuremashita.)
     Riku took me to the station.
3. のために: Used when the verb doesn’t directly take a person as an object but expresses doing something for someone’s sake. This is common with verbs like “掃除する” (to clean).
   • りくさんが私のために部屋を掃除してくれました。
     (Riku-san ga watashi no tame ni heya o souji shite kuremashita.)
     Riku cleaned the room for me.

Conclusion

Understanding how to use -てあげる, -てくれる, and -てもらう allows you to express the giving and receiving of actions and favors in Japanese. By using these structures, you can add politeness and gratitude to your conversations, whether you are doing something for others or acknowledging what others have done for you.