JLPT N5 Vocabulary – Difference between “もらう” and “くれる”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “もらう” and “くれる”
2. もらう
3. くれる
4. The concept of “Uchi” (Inside) and “Soto” (Outside)
5. Let’s Compare
6. Summary
7. Quiz
8. Similar Articles
9. Comment

Q: Are “もらう” and “くれる” the same?

A: These two are expressions of giving and receiving.
While they may seem like the same words when translated into other languages, they are used differently in practice.
Let’s consider the differences while also looking at the cultural background of Japan.

もらう (JLPT N5)

[Meaning]
① To be given something by someone
② To receive something needed from someone; to ask for and receive something

[Rules]　　
Receiverは Giverに Objectを もらう
Receiverは Giverに Objectを Vてもらう

[Point]　　
This expression is used when the receiver receives or is given something pleasant or appreciated.

[Examples]
わたしは山田やまださんにお菓子かしをもらいました。
I received sweets from Mr. Yamada.

母ははは父ちちに花はなをもらいました。
My mother received flowers from my father.

たろうさんは花子はなこさんにプレゼントをもらいました。
Taro received a present from Hanako.

わたしは兄あににゲームを買かってもらいました。
I had my older brother buy me a game.

学生がくせいたちは先生せんせいにテストの答こたえを教おしえてもらいました。
The students had the teacher tell them the answers to the test.

くれる (JLPT N5)

[Meaning]
To receive a benefit or favor from the giver

[Rules]　
Giverは Me/My family に Object をくれる
Giverは Me/My family に Object をVてくれる

[Point]　　
This expression is used when the receiver receives something pleasant or appreciated.

[Examples]
近所きんじょの人ひとは（わたしの家族かぞくに）お菓子かしをくれました。
The neighbor gave sweets to my family.

友達ともだちは弟おとうとにかばんをくれました。
A friend gave a bag to my younger brother.

母はははわたしにきれいなネックレスをくれました。
My mother gave me a beautiful necklace.

祖父そふはわたしたちにフルーツを送おくってくれました。
My grandfather sent us fruit.

ゆみさんはわたしの誕生たんじょう日びにケーキを作つくってくれました。
Yumi made a cake for my birthday.

The concept of “Uchi” (Inside) and “Soto” (Outside)

It’s a bit complicated, but the concept of “あげる” and “もらう” is influenced by the unique Japanese concept of the relationship between “Uchi” (Inside) and “Soto” (Outside).

Uchi (内うち): This refers to oneself, one’s family, relatives, and very close friends, indicating intimate and trustworthy relationships. People in Uchi are those you interact with on a daily basis.

Soto (外そと): This refers to people outside of Uchi, such as colleagues, bosses, teachers, classmates, strangers, and business partners. With Soto people, it is required to maintain a certain distance in interactions.

In Japan, the distinction between Uchi and Soto is more clearly defined compared to other countries. Following this concept, “もらう” can be used whether the receiver is from Uchi or Soto, but “くれる” is only used when the receiver is from Uchi.

　　　　　
[Examples]
◯ わたしは友達ともだちに花はなをもらいました。
I received flowers from a friend.
◯ 友達ともだちはわたしに花はなをくれました。
A friend gave me flowers.
⇒ The receiver is me (a person from Uchi).

◯ わたしの妹いもうとは友達ともだちに花はなをもらいました。
My younger sister received flowers from a friend.
◯ 友達ともだちはわたしの妹いもうとに花はなをくれました。
A friend gave my younger sister flowers.
⇒ The receiver is my family (a person from Uchi).

◯ 田中たなかさんはマリアさんに花はなをもらいました。
Mr. Tanaka received flowers from Maria.
× マリアさんは田中たなかさんに花はなをくれました。
⇒ The receiver is Mr. Tanaka (a person from Soto). “くれる” cannot be used.

◯ 駅えきで女の子おんな　こが男の子おとこ　こに花はなをもらっていました。
At the station, the girl received flowers from the boy.
× 駅えきで男の子おとこ　こが女の子おんな　こに花はなをくれていました。
⇒ The receiver is the girl (a person from Soto). “くれる” cannot be used.

Let’s Compare

“もらう” also means “to receive something needed from someone; to ask for and receive something.” This meaning does not change whether the subject is Uchi or Soto.

Therefore, when you ask for something and it is given to you, you need to use “もらう.”

However, “くれる” has the meaning of “to receive a favor from the giver (Soto).” Thus, the subject must be the giver.

Therefore, “くれる” is a more appropriate expression when the speaker is unexpectedly given something.

[Examples]
お金かねがなかったからお母かあさんに1000円えんもらいました。
I didn’t have any money, so I got 1,000 yen from my mother.
⇒ Because I asked my mother, “もらう” is used.

上司じょうしにお願ねがいをして1日にち休やすみをもらいました。
I asked my boss and got a day off.
⇒ Because I asked my boss, “もらう” is used.

わたしの誕生たんじょう日びを知しらないはずの生徒せいとが、誕生たんじょう日びプレゼントをくれました。
A student who shouldn’t have known my birthday gave me a birthday present.
⇒ Since I received a present from someone I thought didn’t know my birthday, it was an unexpected event. “くれる” is used.

A：お母ははさん、いつもありがとう。これプレゼント。
B：え、くれるの？ありがとう！
A: Mom, thank you for everything. This is a present for you.
B: Oh, for me? Thank you!
⇒ Since I received a present unexpectedly, “くれる” is used.

Let’s consider other situations. For example, it’s raining outside, and I don’t have an umbrella.

① Since Mr. Yamada had two umbrellas, I asked him to lend me one.

わたしは山田やまださんにかさを貸かしてもらいました。
I had Mr. Yamada lend me an umbrella.

② I was in trouble because I didn’t have an umbrella, and Mr. Yamada brought me one.

山田やまださんはわたしにかさを貸かしてくれました。
Mr. Yamada lent me an umbrella.

Summary

もらう

• Used when “being given something by someone.”
• Used when “receiving something needed from someone; asking for and receiving something.”
• This can be used whether the receiver is from Uchi or Soto.

くれる

• “To receive a favor from the giver” is the meaning, and the giver becomes the subject.
• This can only be used when the receiver is from Uchi.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

---