JLPT N4 reference · Social language
Giving and receiving basics
The choice encodes viewpoint and social direction, not only transfer.
Core meaning and form
Use あげる for giving away from the speaker’s viewpoint, くれる for giving toward the speaker or in-group, and もらう for receiving. Use やる cautiously for giving downward or to animals/plants; honorific alternatives appear at higher levels.
- Form: Use あげる for giving away from the speaker’s viewpoint, くれる for giving toward the speaker or in-group, and もらう for receiving.
- Core use: The choice encodes viewpoint and social direction, not only transfer.
- Context: Use やる cautiously for giving downward or to animals/plants; honorific alternatives appear at higher levels.
Examples in context
私は妹に本をあげました。Watashi wa imōto ni hon o agemashita.I gave my younger sister a book.
友達が私に写真をくれました。Tomodachi ga watashi ni shashin o kuremashita.A friend gave me a photograph.
先生に辞書をもらいました。Sensei ni jisho o moraimashita.I received a dictionary from my teacher.
Common errors
- Do not select this pattern from an English translation alone; check its attachment and discourse function.
- Keep the surrounding sentence in a consistent plain, polite, spoken, or written register.
Quick summary
- Use あげる for giving away from the speaker’s viewpoint, くれる for giving toward the speaker or in-group, and もらう for receiving.
- The choice encodes viewpoint and social direction, not only transfer.
- Use やる cautiously for giving downward or to animals/plants; honorific alternatives appear at higher levels.