Giving and receiving expressions (あげる, もらう, くれる) and their て-form extensions are tested heavily on JLPT N4. This guide prepares you specifically for the exam question types.
At a Glance: The 6 Key Forms
| Form | Plain | Polite | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Give (away) | あげる | 差し上げる | I → others |
| Receive | もらう | いただく | Others → I |
| Give (to me) | くれる | くださる | Others → I |
N4 Exam Focus: て-Form Extensions
N4 specifically tests the て-form versions — doing FAVORS:
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜てあげる | Do (favor) for them | 教えてあげた (taught them) |
| 〜てもらう | Receive (favor) | 教えてもらった (was taught) |
| 〜てくれる | They do (favor) for me | 教えてくれた (they taught me) |
JLPT Question Type: Fill the Blank
Most common N4 pattern: give a context, fill in あげる/もらう/くれる.
Context: 友達が私に本を紹介___。(My friend recommended a book to me.)
Answer: してくれた — friend → me, so くれる.
Context: 先生に質問に答え___。(I had the teacher answer my question.)
Answer: てもらった — I received the favor of answering, so もらう.
YukaHow do I decide くれる vs もらう on the exam when both mean ‘someone did it for me’?
ReiLook at the SUBJECT! 友達が教えてくれた — friend is the subject (giver). 友達に教えてもらった — I am the subject (receiver). The particle also changes: くれる uses が for the giver; もらう uses に for the giver. This particle difference is exactly what JLPT tests!
YukaWhat about the polite forms? Does N4 test those?
ReiN4 touches on いただく and くださる, but the main focus is the plain forms. N3 tests keigo forms more heavily. For N4, make sure you know: してもらう → していただく (polite), してくれる → してくださる (polite), してあげる → して差し上げる (polite, with a superior).
Practice Questions
Choose the correct form:
1. 先生が丁寧に説明___。(Teacher explained carefully for me.) → してくれた
2. 友達に荷物を運ん___。(I had my friend carry the luggage.) → でもらった
3. 弟に本を読ん___。(I read a book to my younger brother.) → であげた
Quick Quiz
1. Which particle marks the giver in もらう sentences? → に (ni)
2. Which particle marks the giver in くれる sentences? → が (ga)
3. Polite form of てもらう is? → ていただく
Practice in the Comments!
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Keep Learning: JLPT Study Guide | あげる/もらう/くれる Guide | て-Form Favors
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