How to tell them apart
The three forms show the same favor from different viewpoints. てあげる puts the giver as subject and moves outward from the speaker, as in 春子さんを慰めてあげた, while てくれる puts a non speaker giver as subject and moves toward the speaker side, as in 息子に英語を教えてくれた. てもらう puts the receiver as subject with the giver marked by に, as in 大野さんに車を貸してもらった, and あげる to a superior sounds rude so a humble form is needed.
- あげる Use あげる to describe you or your in-group doing a favor outward, normally to someone of equal or lower status.
- 呉れる・くれる Use くれる to describe someone else doing a favor toward you or your in-group.
- もらう Use もらう to describe you or your in-group receiving a favor with the receiver as subject.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| あげる ageru | Perform an action for another person's benefit | N4 |
| 呉れる・くれる reru kureru | performs an action for the speaker's benefit | N4 |
| もらう morau | have someone do something for you | N4 |
あげる ageru
Perform an action for another person's benefit
~te ageru expresses doing something for someone else's benefit, viewed from the giver's side toward an equal or someone of lower status. It attaches to the te-form of a verb, as in 作ってあげる or 教えてあげる, and ageru itself conjugates as a regular ru-verb for tense and politeness. It can sound condescending if used toward a superior or when the favor was not wanted, so attention to relationship is needed.
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私がやってあげた方がよさそうね。
I think I should do it for you.
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日本語を教えてくれたら、スペイン語を教えてあげるよ。
I'll teach you Spanish if you teach me Japanese.
呉れる・くれる reru kureru
performs an action for the speaker's benefit
てくれる shows that someone does something as a favor for the speaker or someone close to the speaker, like family. It attaches to the te-form of a verb, as in 教えてくれる, 見せてくれる, or 作ってくれた. The giver is usually marked with が or は, while the receiver is often left out when it is the speaker. Requests like てくれませんか sound polite, while てくれ can sound blunt or masculine in commands.
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どうしてボストンにいることを教えてくれなかったんだ。
Why didn't you let me know you were in Boston?
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その先生は私たちにおもしろい話をしてくれた。
The teacher told us a funny story.
もらう morau
have someone do something for you
もらう after a te-form shows that you or someone close to you receives the benefit of another person's action. It attaches to the te-form of a verb, as in 開けてもらう or 教えてもらう, and the doer is usually marked with に. The receiver is normally the subject, so it expresses gratitude or a request, especially in forms like てもらえますか and てもらいたい. Avoid using it when the benefit goes outward from you to someone else.
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どうすれば好きになってもらえるのかな？
How can I make him like me?
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カーテンを開けてもらえますか？
Could you please open the curtains?
あげる and 呉れる・くれる and もらう are both JLPT N4 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares all 3 side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.