てくれる

do something for someone (me), do a favor of

Build a strong foundation of Japanese with a high-frequency grammar and real-world phrases.

てくれる is a versatile Japanese auxiliary verb that expresses someone doing something for the speaker’s benefit or on behalf of the speaker (or someone close to the speaker, like a family member or friend). It translates to "do something for me" or "do me a favor by..." in English. This expression highlights the interpersonal dynamic of kindness or helpfulness, often implying that the speaker acknowledges or appreciates the action performed by another person.

The nuance of てくれる lies in its ability to emphasize the benefit or favor received, making it a key expression for maintaining social harmony and expressing gratitude in Japanese culture. The structure is formed by attaching the て-form of a verb to くれる, which conveys the action as a “gift” to the speaker.

In casual and neutral conversations, てくれる is widely used to acknowledge or request help in a friendly tone. For more polite interactions, てくれますか softens the request, while ていただけますか is used in formal or humble contexts to show deference and respect. These variations allow the speaker to adjust their tone based on the relationship with the listener and the level of politeness required.

It’s important to note that てくれる is always used from the perspective of the recipient of the action (the speaker). For describing actions performed for someone else or expressing humility, related expressions such as てくださる or ていただく are more appropriate.

Structure

Verb［て］+ くれる

Verb［て］+ くれます / くれますか (polite)

Verb［て］+ くださる (humble form)

Verb［て］+ くれた (past tense)

Verb［て］+ くれました (polite past tense)

Negative Form:

Verb［ないで］+ くれる

Verb［ないで］+ くれます / くれますか (polite)

JLPT Level

Key uses

1. Requesting a favor or help

てくれる is commonly used when asking someone to do a favor for the speaker. It highlights that the speaker is requesting help from the other person in a polite yet casual manner.

[ Additional Insight ]

This usage is perfect for polite and casual requests in everyday conversations. It conveys familiarity and respect while keeping the tone natural and unobtrusive. Adding particles like ね or よ can soften the tone even further, depending on the relationship or context.

2. Expressing gratitude for help received

てくれる is often used to acknowledge and appreciate someone’s kind action toward the speaker, emphasizing that their effort was meaningful and beneficial.

[ Additional Insight ]

This usage highlights appreciation for the other person’s effort. It’s frequently used in casual conversations to show recognition of thoughtfulness or support, helping to build positive interpersonal connections.

3. Expressing appreciation

てくれる is commonly paired with expressions of gratitude to explicitly show thankfulness for help or support received.

[ Additional Insight ]

This pairing reinforces emotional connection and genuine gratitude. It’s ideal for informal settings but can also be slightly formal, depending on the tone and added particles like ね or よ. It makes the appreciation feel personal and heartfelt.

4. Actions done for someone close to the speaker

てくれる can also be used when describing actions done for someone else in the speaker’s close social circle, like family members or close friends.

[ Additional Insight ]

This use conveys closeness and shared benefit, emphasizing that the action was kindly done for the speaker’s benefit or for someone important to them. It’s commonly used in narrative or explanatory contexts to highlight acts of support or kindness.

Comparisons

1. てあげる (to do something for someone)

てくれる and てあげる both describe acts of kindness, but they differ in perspective. てくれる is used when someone else does something for the speaker or for someone in the speaker’s circle, while てあげる is used when the speaker does something for someone else. Use てくれる to express gratitude or acknowledgment of favors received and てあげる to emphasize the speaker’s kindness toward others.

2. てもらう (to receive a favor)

てもらう emphasizes that the speaker received help from someone, often in response to a request. While てくれる acknowledges the kindness of the giver, てもらう focuses on the speaker’s perspective as the recipient of the favor. Use てもらう when highlighting solicited assistance.

3. いただく (polite "to receive")

いただく is a very polite form used to describe receiving a favor or kindness from someone, often in formal contexts or to show deep respect. Use いただく in business settings or when interacting with superiors to express gratitude for a favor or action.