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someone (superior) does something for me
Definition
The grammar pattern ～てくださる is used to express that someone of higher social status performs a favor for the speaker. It is an honorific (keigo) version of 'te kureru' and is used to show high respect toward the giver. This pattern is often used in formal situations, such as when a teacher or boss does something for the speaker.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masu form of the verb (e.g., suru, kaku) | Verb te kudasaru | Suru te kudasaru (to do something) |
| Masu form of the verb (e.g., suru, kaku) | Verb te kudasaru (past tense) - kudasaimashita | Suru te kudasaimashita (did something) |
| Masu form of the verb (e.g., suru, kaku) | Verb te kudasaru (past tense) - kudasareta | Suru te kudasareta (was done something) |
Examples
先生が難しい文法を説明してくださいました。
Sensei ga muzukashii bunpō o setsumei shite kudasaimashita.
The teacher explained the difficult grammar.
先生 (sensei) - teacher, 難しい (muzukashii) - difficult, 文法 (bunpō) - grammar, 説明して (setsumei shite) - explained, くださいました (kudasaimashita) - past tense of kudasaru
社長が駅まで送ってくださいました。
Shachō ga eki made tsuket kudasaimashita.
The president sent me to the station.
社長 (shachō) - president, 駅まで (eki made) - to the station, 送って (tsuket) - sent, くださいました (kudasaimashita) - past tense of kudasaru
部長、お忙しいところをお越しください。
Buchō, o isogashii tokoro o oetsu kudasai.
The department head, please come despite being busy.
部長 (buchō) - department head, お忙しいところ (o isogashii tokoro) - despite being busy, を (o) - object marker, 越し (oetsu) - come, ください (kudasai) - polite form of kudasaru
先生が勉強を手伝ってくださいました。
Sensei ga benkyō o te o tsuket kudasaimashita.
The teacher helped me with my studies.
先生 (sensei) - teacher, 勉強 (benkyō) - studies, 手伝って (te o tsuket) - helped, くださいました (kudasaimashita) - past tense of kudasaru
社長が車を借りてくださいました。
Shachō ga kuruma o karite kudasaimashita.
The president borrowed a car for me.
社長 (shachō) - president, 車 (kuruma) - car, を (o) - object marker, 借りて (karite) - borrowed, くださいました (kudasaimashita) - past tense of kudasaru
Context
The grammar pattern ～てくださる is used to express that someone of higher social status performs a favor for the speaker. It is an honorific (keigo) version of 'te kureru' and is used to show high respect toward the giver. This pattern is often used in formal situations, such as when a teacher or boss does something for the speaker.
Watch out
～てくださる is used to show high respect toward the giver, so it is not suitable for use with friends or family of lower status.
～て頂く is used to express gratitude, while ～てくださる is used to express that the speaker receives a favor.
～てくださる has different conjugations depending on the tense and politeness level.
Strategy
Pay attention to the context and the relationship between the speaker and the giver. ～てくださる is often used in formal situations, so be careful not to use it in informal situations.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N4 test-style questions. Each sentence shows ～てくださる used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
先生が難しい文法を説明してくださいました。
Pattern used: くださいました
Because the teacher (superior) is the subject performing the action, the honorific 'te kudasaru' is used.
社長が駅まで送ってくださいました。
Pattern used: くださいました
The company president (superior) is doing a favor for the speaker, so 'te kudasaru' is appropriate.
部長、お忙しいところをお越しくださりありがとうございます。
Pattern used: くださり
When thanking a superior for coming, 'te kudasaru' is used to honor their action.
Interactive
先生が難しい文法を説明して______。
Adaptive practice
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