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Follow the arrow: Mum gave me money. Use 「くれます」 when something comes to me.

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N4 · Beginner 2

くれますkuremasu

someone gives to me/us

Use 「くれます」 when someone gives something to you or someone on your side.

How it works

  1. Follow the arrow: Mum gave me money. Use 「くれます」 when something comes to me.

    Follow the arrow: Mum gave me money. Use 「くれます」 when something comes to me.

  2. 「母は」 names the giver, 「私に」 the receiver, and 「を」 marks the thing given.

    「母は」 names the giver, 「私に」 the receiver, and 「を」 marks the thing given.

  3. You can also use 「くれます」 when someone gives to a person on your side, such as a family member—not just to you.

    You can also use 「くれます」 when someone gives to a person on your side, such as a family member—not just to you.

  4. Use 「あげます」 when I give to someone else, and 「くれます」 when someone else gives to me. First, check the direction.

    Use 「あげます」 when I give to someone else, and 「くれます」 when someone else gives to me. First, check the direction.

  5. In 「父がくれました」, 「私に」 is left out because the context already makes the receiver clear.

    In 「父がくれました」, 「私に」 is left out because the context already makes the receiver clear.

  6. In the examples, the money and the ring have already been given, so we use the past form 「くれました」.

In the examples, the money and the ring have already been given, so we use the past form 「くれました」.

  • The same event can be expressed as 「私は母にお金をもらいました」. The subject is now me, the person receiving the money.

    The same event can be expressed as 「私は母にお金をもらいました」. The subject is now me, the person receiving the money.

    • Example sentences

    • 母ははhahaはわwa私わたしwatashiにniお金おかねokaneをoくれました。くれましたkuremashita

      My mother gave me some money.

    • 友達ともだちtomodachiはわwa私わたしwatashiにni指輪ゆびわyubiwaをoくれました。くれましたkuremashita

      My friend gave me a ring.

    In a conversation

    • A
      誰だれがお金おかねをくれましたか。か

      A: Who gave you the money?

    • B
      父ちちがくれました。くれました

      B: My father gave it to me.

    • A
      いくらくれましたか。か

      A: How much did he give you?

    • B
      1000 せん円えんくれました。くれました

      B: He gave me 1,000 yen.

    Check yourself

    1. Level 1 · Recognise

      Which sentence is correct?

    2. Level 1 · Recognise

      Listen and choose the meaning

    3. Level 2 · Build

      Put the words in order

      My father gave me sweets.

    4. Level 3 · Use

      What goes in the blank?

      母は私にお金 。

      My mother gave me money.

    More grammar in this theme

    • 〜に住んでいますsay where you live
    • 〜と〜人で住んでいますwho you live with and how many
    • 〜ています／〜をしていますongoing work or studies
    • 〜が〜人／匹いますcount people or small animals
    • 〜が上手です／下手ですskill at an activity
    • 〜は〜が〜ですdescribe someone's features
    • 〜くて〜／〜で〜link two qualities
    • あげます／あげましたgive something to someone
    • もらいますreceive: get from someone
    • くれますsomeone gives to me/us
    Previousもらいます

    Keep practising

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