Giving/Receiving Actions (~te ageru/morau/kureru)
〜てあげる/もらう/くれる
These patterns express doing a favor for someone or receiving a favor, using the giving/receiving verbs with te-form.
Pattern
Te-form + あげる (do for someone) | Te-form + もらう (have someone do) | Te-form + くれる (someone does for me)
Explanation
Japanese has a unique system for expressing favors using giving/receiving verbs combined with the te-form. ~てあげる means doing something for someone else (as a favor from the speaker's perspective). ~てもらう means having someone do something for you (receiving a favor). ~てくれる means someone does something for you or your in-group (the other person gives the favor).
~てあげる should be used carefully — saying it directly to the person you helped can sound condescending, as if you're emphasizing your generosity. ~てくれる and ~てもらう are safer and more commonly used.
The polite equivalents use さしあげる, いただく, and くださる respectively. ~てもらう and ~てくれる are often interchangeable, but ~てもらう emphasizes the receiver's perspective (I had someone do it), while ~てくれる emphasizes the giver's kindness (someone kindly did it for me).
Examples
友達に日本語を教えてあげた。
ともだちににほんごをおしえてあげた。
tomodachi ni nihongo wo oshiete ageta.
I taught Japanese to my friend (as a favor).
母に駅まで送ってもらった。
ははにえきまでおくってもらった。
haha ni eki made okutte moratta.
I had my mother drive me to the station.
先輩が手伝ってくれた。
せんぱいがてつだってくれた。
senpai ga tetsudatte kureta.
My senior helped me (and I'm grateful).
先生に推薦状を書いていただいた。
せんせいにすいせんじょうをかいていただいた。
sensei ni suisenjou wo kaite itadaita.
I had my teacher write a recommendation letter. (polite)
Common Mistakes
Wrong
私はあなたに教えてあげる。(said directly to that person)
Correct
教えましょうか。
Saying てあげる directly to the receiver can sound arrogant. Use ましょうか to offer help politely.
Wrong
先生が教えてもらった。
Correct
先生に教えてもらった。
With てもらう, the person doing the favor is marked with に, not が.
Wrong
私が友達に助けてくれた。
Correct
友達が私を助けてくれた。
With てくれる, the person doing the favor is the subject (が). The speaker/in-group is the receiver.
Related Grammar Points
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