kariru-vs-kasu

One of the most common mistakes English speakers make in Japanese is confusing 借りる (kariru) and 貸す (kasu). Both involve lending and borrowing — but they describe the action from opposite perspectives. This guide will settle the confusion once and for all, with grammar explanations, examples, and a quiz.

Yuka

Hey Rei! I keep mixing up kariru and kasu. Can you break it down for me?

Rei

Sure! They’re both useful words but used in different situations. Let me walk you through it with some examples!

At a Glance

The key: 借りる is always from the borrower’s point of view. 貸す is always from the lender’s point of view. The same transaction — one person uses 借りる, the other uses 貸す.

What Does 借りる (Kariru) Mean?

借りる (かりる) means to borrow (an item) or to rent (a property/vehicle, paying to use temporarily). The subject of the sentence is always the person receiving and using the item.

Kanji: 借 (kari) = “to borrow / to be in debt.” Verb group: Group 2 (ru-verb).

Key conjugations:

Example 1

この本借りてもいい？
Kono hon karite mo ii?
Can I borrow this book?

Example 2

この家を田中さんから借りています。
Kono ie o Tanaka-san kara karite imasu.
I’m renting this house from Mr. Tanaka.

Example 3

すいません。ちょっとペン借りていいですか？
Suimasen. Chotto pen karite ii desu ka?
Excuse me. May I borrow your pen for a moment?

Example 4

図書館で本を借りたよ。
Toshokan de hon o karita yo.
I borrowed books from the library.

What Does 貸す (Kasu) Mean?

貸す (かす) means to lend (an item to someone) or to rent out (a property/vehicle for payment). The subject of the sentence is always the person handing over the item.

Kanji: 貸 (kashi) = “to lend / to loan.” Verb group: Group 1 (u-verb).

Key conjugations:

Example 1

その本貸してくれない？
Sono hon kashite kurenai?
Can you lend me that book?

Example 2

１０００円貸してもらえますか？
Sen-en kashite moraemasu ka?
Could you lend me 1,000 yen?

Example 3

ゆかは僕に１０００円貸してくれたよ。
Yuka wa boku ni sen-en kashite kureta yo.
Yuka lent me 1,000 yen.

Example 4

傘を貸してあげようか？
Kasa o kashite ageyō ka?
Shall I lend you my umbrella?

Kariru vs. Kasu: Side-by-Side Comparison

Particle guide:

友達から本を借りた。(Tomodachi kara hon o karita.)
I borrowed a book FROM a friend. → から marks the source

友達に本を貸した。(Tomodachi ni hon o kashita.)
I lent a book TO a friend. → に marks the recipient

Renting vs. Borrowing: The Same Verbs

In Japanese, borrowing for free and renting (paying) both use the same verbs:

Context makes clear whether money is involved. There is no separate verb for “rent” vs. “borrow” in standard Japanese.

Decision Flowchart: Kariru or Kasu?

Are you talking about borrowing or lending?
              |
              Yes
              |
Is the SUBJECT of the sentence the one RECEIVING the item?
       |                       |
      Yes                      No
       |                       |
  借りる (kariru)          Is the SUBJECT the one GIVING / handing over the item?
  = to borrow                  |                       |
                              Yes                      No → Check the situation
                               |
                           貸す (kasu)
                           = to lend

Common confusion for English speakers: Japanese request expressions switch perspective depending on who is asking. If YOU want to borrow something:

借りてもいい？ = “May I borrow it?” (you are the borrower — 借りる)
貸してくれない？ = “Can you lend it to me?” (you ask the lender — 貸す)

Both ask for the same thing, but the first focuses on your action (借りる) and the second focuses on the other person’s action (貸す).

Quick Quiz: Fill in the Blank

Choose 借りる (kariru) or 貸す (kasu) — or their correct forms — for each sentence. Answers below.

Q1. 図書館で本を＿＿た。
I _____ a book from the library.

Q2. 傘を＿＿してあげようか？
Shall I _____ you my umbrella?

Q3. ちょっとペン＿＿てもいいですか？
May I _____ your pen for a moment?

Q4. 友達に１０００円＿＿したよ。
I _____ 1,000 yen to my friend.

Q5. このアパートを田中さんから＿＿ています。
I am _____ this apartment from Mr. Tanaka.

Answers:

A1. 借り (借りた) — I received the book from the library → 図書館で本を借りた。

A2. 貸 (貸して) — I would give the umbrella to you → 傘を貸してあげようか？

A3. 借り (借りて) — I want to receive/use the pen → ちょっとペン借りてもいいですか？

A4. 貸 (貸した) — I gave money to my friend → 友達に１０００円貸したよ。

A5. 借り (借りて) — I am the renter (receiving side) → このアパートを田中さんから借りています。

Summary

The one-line rule: if you are the one getting the item, use 借りる. If you are the one giving the item, use 貸す. Keep that distinction clear, and you will never mix them up again.

Also read:

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