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
友達に本をあげる。 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
友達が本をくれる。 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
友達に本をもらう。 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
借りる means to borrow.
Example
傘を借りました。 I borrowed the umbrella.