Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
〜てくれる: someone does me a favor
Use 〜てくれる when another person does something for the speaker, the speaker’s family, or another psychologically close person. The focus is on the helper as the subject.
Target signal
友だちが駅まで送ってくれました。
My friend took me to the station.
Notice how 〜てもらう shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- 友だち
- friend
- した
- did
- って
- colloquial quoting or topic particle
Compare in context
母が新しいノートを買ってくれました。
My mother bought me a new notebook.
Notice how 〜てもらう shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ノート
- notebook
- 新しい
- new
- した
- did
Compare in context
先生がもう一度説明してくれました。
The teacher explained it one more time for me.
Notice how 〜てもらう shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- もう一度
- one more time; again
- した
- did
- して
- doing and
Section 2 of 3
〜てもらう: I receive the favor
Use 〜てもらう when the receiver is the subject. The helper is marked with に. The event is the same, but the sentence viewpoint changes.
Target signal
友だちに駅まで送ってもらいました。
I got my friend to take me to the station.
Notice how 〜てもらう shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- いました
- there was; there were (living things)
- 友だち
- friend
- いま
- now
Preview
母に新しいノートを買ってもらいました。
I had my mother buy me a new notebook.
Notice how 〜てもらう shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- いました
- there was; there were (living things)
- ノート
- notebook
- 新しい
- new
Preview
先生にもう一度説明してもらいました。
I had the teacher explain it one more time.
Notice how 〜てもらう shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- いました
- there was; there were (living things)
- もう一度
- one more time; again
- いま
- now
Section 3 of 3
Reading the speaker’s viewpoint
When both patterns describe the same event, the difference is perspective. In reading, ask whose experience is central. That will often tell you why the writer chose くれる or もらう.
Target signal
妹が料理を作ってくれて、助かりました。
My younger sister made dinner for me, and it helped a lot.
Notice how 〜てもらう shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- した
- did
- って
- colloquial quoting or topic particle
- 料理
- cooking; dish; cuisine
Preview
私は妹に料理を作ってもらって、助かりました。
I had my younger sister make dinner, and it helped a lot.
Notice how 〜てもらう shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- もらって
- receiving and...
- した
- did
- って
- colloquial quoting or topic particle
Preview
店員さんが地図を書いてくれたので、すぐ分かりました。
The shop clerk drew me a map, so I understood right away.
Notice how 〜てもらう shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- 店員さん
- shop clerk
- くれた
- gave (to me/us)
- 書いて
- writing and...