Hello, this is Miyabi! Let’s keep learning Japanese today with Japan Phrase Adventure!
When learning Japanese, one common confusion is the difference between くれる (kureru) and もらう (morau). Both mean “to receive” in some way, but the subject of the sentence changes the meaning.
In this article, we’ll break it down step by step, with Japanese example sentences, full hiragana readings, and word-by-word translations.
1. 「くれる」 (kureru) – Focus on the giver
“くれる” is used when someone gives something to me (or someone close to me).
The subject of the sentence is the giver.
Example 1:
友達がプレゼントをくれた。
（ともだち が ぷれぜんと を くれた。）
Word by word breakdown:
・友達（ともだち）= friend
・が = subject marker (“as for”)
・プレゼント = present, gift
・を = object marker
・くれた = gave (to me)
Meaning: My friend gave me a present.
Example 2:
先生が本をくれた。
（せんせい が ほん を くれた。）
Word by word breakdown:
・先生（せんせい）= teacher
・ が = subject marker
・ 本（ほん）= book
・を = object marker
・くれた = gave (to me)
Meaning: My teacher gave me a book.
◼️Notice: The subject (the person who gives) is the focus here.
2. 「もらう」 (morau) – Focus on the receiver
“もらう” is used when I (or someone close to me) receive something.
The subject of the sentence is the receiver.
Example 1:
私は友達からプレゼントをもらった。
（わたし は ともだち から ぷれぜんと を もらった。）
Word by word breakdown:
・私（わたし）= I
・は = topic marker
・友達（ともだち）= friend
・から = from
プレゼント = present, gift
・を = object marker
・もらった = received
Meaning: I received a present from my friend.
Example 2:
子どもは先生から本をもらった。
（こども は せんせい から ほん を もらった。）
Word by word breakdown:
・子ども（こども）= child
・は = topic marker
・先生（せんせい）= teacher
・から = from
・本（ほん）= book
・を = object marker
・もらった = received
Meaning: The child received a book from the teacher.
◼️Notice: The subject (the person who receives) is the focus here.
3. Same event, different viewpoint
Interestingly, the same action can be described using either “くれる” or “もらう.”
・友達がプレゼントをくれた。
“My friend gave me a present.” (focus = friend’s action)
・私は友達からプレゼントをもらった。
“I received a present from my friend.” (focus = my experience)
Both sentences describe the same event, but the subject changes the nuance.
4. Important note: Omitted subjects in Japanese
In real conversations, Japanese often omits the subject. For example:
「プレゼントをくれた。」
→ Even if “友達が” is missing, the subject (friend) is still implied.
「プレゼントをもらった。」
→ Even if “私は” is missing, the subject (I) is still implied.
◼️Remember: The subject is not gone—it’s just omitted!
Conclusion
くれる (kureru) → the subject is the giver.
もらう (morau) → the subject is the receiver.
・Even if the subject is omitted in Japanese, it always exists in the background.
By paying attention to the subject, you can master the difference between these two verbs!
Thank you for challenging yourself with Japanese, one of the most difficult languages in the world! Remember: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Keep learning—your effort will surely bear fruit! ✨
