Japanese word

くれる

Pronunciation

Romajikureru

Meaning

  • verbgive me

Example

友達がお菓子をくれます。tomo dachi ga o ka shi o ku re ma su

My friend gives me some candy.

Illustration for くれる (give me)

More examples

父が旅行のお土産を私にくれました。chichi ga ryo kō no o miyage o watashi ni ku re ma shi ta

My father gave me a souvenir from his trip.

Core concept

Describes something moving from another person toward the speaker or the speaker's side as a gift or helpful act.

Common phrases

  • 本をくれるhon o ku re ru

    give me a book

  • 花をくれるhana o ku re ru

    give me flowers

Similar words

くださるkudasaru: Indicates that a respected person gives something or does something helpful for the speaker.
あげるageru: Indicates that someone gives something to another person.
もらうmorau: Indicates that the speaker or another person receives something from someone else.

Definition in Japanese

他人が話し手または話し手側の者に物や恩恵を与える。ta nin ga hana shi te ma ta wa hana shi te gawa no mono ni mono ya on kei o ata e ru

Word origin

The modern form くれる (kureru) developed from 呉る (kuru), an older native verb meaning "to give", and specializes that giving as directed to the speaker's side.

Usage tips

  • The ending くれる (kureru) in 手伝ってくれる (tetsudatte kureru) shows that someone performs a helpful action for the speaker.

Word lists with this word