The verb you choose shows both the direction of a gift and whom you respect.
The idea
Use いただく to humbly describe receiving from someone respected, and くださる when that person gives to you. Use 差し上げる for giving to a respected person; ていただく and てくださる also describe favours.
| Basic | Polite form |
|---|---|
| もらう | いただく |
| くれる | くださる |
| あげる | 差し上げる |
Examples
- 先生に本をいただきました。I received a book from my teacher.
- 先生が本をくださいました。My teacher gave me a book.
- 先生に花を差し上げました。I gave my teacher flowers.
- 友達にお菓子をあげました。I gave my friend some sweets.
- 先生に名前を教えていただきました。My teacher kindly told me their name.
- 先生が駅まで案内してくださいました。My teacher kindly guided me to the station.
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Watch out
Do not use くださる for your own giving. 差し上げる can sound self-important when emphasising a favour, so choose it with care.
Try it yourself
先生に本を＿。（もらいました → ていねい）
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いただきました
いただきました presents receiving from the teacher humbly.
先生が本を＿。（くれました → ていねい）
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くださいました
くださいました describes the teacher as the giver respectfully.
先生に花を＿。（あげました → けんじょう）
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差し上げました
差し上げました humbly describes giving flowers to the teacher.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
先生に本を＿。（もらいました → ていねい）
先生が本を＿。（くれました → ていねい）
先生に花を＿。（あげました → けんじょう）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Imagine a teacher gives you a book and you give them flowers. Choose the verb from each perspective.