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someone does something for me
Definition
The grammar pattern ～てくれる expresses gratitude for a favor or action performed by someone else. It emphasizes the kindness and generosity of the person who performed the action. This pattern is often used in situations where someone does something for the speaker or someone in their inner circle. The giver is the subject of the sentence, and the speaker is the recipient of the action. This pattern is a polite way to express appreciation and gratitude towards someone.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Volitional form of the verb (～たい) | ～てくれる | 食べたい |
| Potential form of the verb (～られる) | ～てくれる | 食べられる |
| Basic form of the verb | ～てくれる | 食べる |
Examples
山田さんが私の代わりに掃除をしてくれた
Yamada-san ga watashi no kawari ni sōji o shite kureta
Yamada-san helped me with cleaning
山田さんが私の代わりに (Yamada-san helped me instead of me)
雨が降っていたので、友達が傘を貸してくれた
Ame ga futte ita node, tomodachi ga kasa o kashite kureta
Because it was raining, my friend lent me an umbrella
雨が降っていたので (because it was raining)
私は友達にノートを貸してくれた
Watashi wa tomodachi ni nōto o kashite kureta
I lent my notebook to my friend
私は (I)
Context
This pattern is used to express gratitude for a favor or action performed by someone else. It is a polite way to show appreciation and is often used in situations where someone does something for the speaker or someone in their inner circle. This pattern is not used for a superior, in which case the polite form ～てください is used instead.
Watch out
～てくれる emphasizes the kindness and generosity of the person who performed the action, so it is not suitable for situations where the speaker is the giver.
～てくれる emphasizes the kindness and generosity of the person who performed the action, while 'te morau' emphasizes the action itself.
～てくれる is a polite way to express gratitude, but it is not suitable for use with a superior.
Strategy
Pay attention to the context and the relationship between the speaker and the person who performed the action. Make sure to use the correct form of the verb and the polite language to express gratitude.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N4 test-style questions. Each sentence shows ～てくれる used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
山田さんが私の代わりに掃除をしてくれました。
Pattern used: くれました
Yamada-san is the subject performing the favor for 'me', so 'te kureru' is used.
雨が降っていたので、友達が傘を貸してくれました。
Pattern used: くれました
The friend is the subject doing the favor for the speaker, requiring 'te kureru'.
私は友達にノートを貸してあげました。
Pattern used: あげました
In this case, 'I' (Watashi) am the giver, so 'te ageru' is correct, not 'te kureru'.
Interactive
山田さんが私の代わりに掃除をして______。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.