Give and receive; lend and borrow

Give and receive

あげる

Giver が Receiver に Object を +

あげる

Used when you give an object to someone.

Example

友とも達だちに本をあげる。 I give a book to my friend.

くれる

Giver が Receiver に Object を +

くれる

Used when someone gives an object to you.

Example

友とも達だちが本をくれる。 My friend gives me a book.

もらう

Receiver が Giver 「に・から」 Object を +

もらう

Used when you receive an object from someone.

Example

友とも達だちに本をもらう。 I get a book from my friend.

When to use?

Giving

There’s a nuance between the two terms depending on who you are close to. The general rule is that you:

• use あげる if you, your friends or family give something to others (closer to giver’s side).
• use くれる if you, your friends or family are receiving things from others (closer to receiver’s side).

In both cases, the topic is the giver.

Receiving

There’s only one word: もらう, and it doesn’t matter who you are close to.

In this case, the topic is the receiver.

Lend and borrow

貸す

貸かす means to lend.

Examples

傘を貸しました。 I lent my umbrella.

傘を貸してくれませんか？ Could you do me a favor of lending me your umbrella?

トイレ貸りてもいい。 Could I use your toilets?

借りる

借かりる means to borrow.

Example

傘を借りました。 I borrowed the umbrella.