N48 patterns

N4 Grammar: Giving & Receiving

Expressing giving and receiving favors with social hierarchy awareness

Practice N4 grammar All N4 Grammar

8 points

Every N4 giving & receiving pattern

What each pattern means, when to use it, and the mistakes that cost marks in the exam.

～てあげるto do something for someone

Used when the speaker (or someone close to them) performs a favor for someone of equal or lower social status. It focuses on the giver's perspective and intention to help. Be cautious using it directly to a person of higher status, as it can sound slightly patronizing by emphasizing that you are doing them a favor.

Common mistakes

Using it for a superior (should use 'sashiageru')
Confusing it with 'te kureru' when the speaker is the receiver
Incorrect particle usage for the receiver (should be 'ni')

Full ～てあげる guide

～ていただけませんかcould you please...?

A very polite and standard way to request a favor. It literally asks 'could I not receive the favor of you doing...'. It is more polite than 'te kudasai' and is suitable for superiors, strangers, or formal situations.

Common mistakes

Confusing with 'te kuremasen ka' (less polite)
Incorrectly using the past tense in the request
Using with close friends where it might sound too distant/formal

Full ～ていただけませんか guide

～ていただくto receive a favor (humble)

The humble (keigo) version of 'te morau'. Use this when the speaker (as the subject) receives a favor from someone of higher social status. It is extremely polite and shows the speaker's humility while elevating the giver.

Common mistakes

Confusing with 'te kudasaru' (where the superior is the subject)
Using it when the speaker is the one doing the favor
Using it for an equal or inferior in a casual setting

Full ～ていただく guide

～てくださるsomeone (superior) does something for me

The honorific (keigo) version of 'te kureru'. Use this when a person of higher social status (teacher, boss, elder) performs a favor for the speaker. The giver is the subject of the sentence, and the usage shows high respect toward them.

Common mistakes

Confusing with 'te itadaku' (where the receiver is the subject)
Using it for friends or family of lower status
Incorrect conjugation of 'kudasaru' (e.g., kudasaru-mashita vs kudasaimashita)

Full ～てくださる guide

～てくれるsomeone does something for me

Used when someone else performs a favor for the speaker or someone in the speaker's inner circle. In this pattern, the giver is the subject of the sentence. It expresses the speaker's gratitude for an action that was directed toward them.

Common mistakes

Using it when the speaker is the giver
Confusing with 'te morau' (where the receiver is the subject)
Using for a superior (should use 'te kudasaru')

Full ～てくれる guide

～てもらうto receive a favor

Used when the speaker (subject) receives a favor from someone else. The receiver is the subject of the sentence, and the giver is usually marked with the particle 'ni' or 'kara'. It implies that the speaker initiated or is grateful for the action performed by the other person.

Common mistakes

Confusing 'ni' (giver) with 'ni' (receiver in 'te ageru')
Using for a superior (should use 'te itadaku')
Confusing with 'te kureru' where the giver is the subject

Full ～てもらう guide

～てさしあげるto do something for someone (superior)

The polite/humble version of 'te ageru'. Used when the speaker performs a favor for someone of higher social standing. Note that in modern business Japanese, it can sometimes sound like you are forcing a favor, so other humble forms like 'o-shimashou ka' are often preferred.

Common mistakes

Using 'te ageru' for a teacher or boss
Confusing with 'te itadaku' (receiving)
Using it when the other person didn't ask for help

Full ～てさしあげる guide

～てやるto do something for someone (inferior/animal)

Used when the speaker performs a favor for someone of much lower status (like a younger sibling) or for pets and plants. It can sound rough or overly authoritative if used towards equals, so it is strictly for inferiors or non-human recipients.

Common mistakes