In Japanese, there’s more than one way to express giving or receiving—and that includes actions, not just objects. The grammar patterns ～てあげる, ～てくれる, and ～てもらう let you talk about doing things for someone, having someone do something for you, or receiving someone’s help. These forms add nuance, politeness, and direction to your verbs.
～てあげる / ～てくれる / ～てもらう
Do something for someone / Someone does something for me / I have someone do something
Usage Pattern
[Verb in て-form] + あげる → I do it for someone else
[Verb in て-form] + くれる→ Someone does it for me
[Verb in て-form] + もらう → I have someone do something for me
Details
JLPT Level: N4
How to Use It
Use the て-form to link an action with one of the “favor” verbs: あげる (to give), くれる (to give to me), or もらう (to receive). This tells us who is doing the action, and for whom. Think of it like adding a directional arrow to your verb who the favor moves toward. With ～てもらう, the speaker is the one receiving the benefit; with ～てくれる, someone is giving the benefit to the speaker; and with ～てあげる, the speaker is doing something for someone else.
Want A Deeper Explanation?
Example 1
私は友だちの荷物を持ってあげました。
わたし は ともだち の にもつ を もって あげました。
Watashi wa tomodachi no nimotsu o motte agemashita.
I carried my friend’s bag for them.
Example 2
友だちが私の宿題を手伝ってくれました。
ともだち が わたし の しゅくだい を てつだって くれました。
Tomodachi ga watashi no shukudai o tetsudatte kuremashita.
My friend helped me with my homework.
Example 3
先生に日本語を教えてもらいました。
せんせい に にほんご を おしえて もらいました。
Sensei ni Nihongo o oshiete moraimashita.
I had my teacher teach me Japanese.