「〜れる/〜られる」- Doing Something for Someone

Explanation

The 「〜れる/〜られる」 form in Japanese grammar is primarily used to indicate that someone does something for another person. This usage is known as "giving and receiving verbs." The pronunciations are れる (reru) and られる (rareru). In this structure, the beneficiary is usually the speaker or someone closely related to the speaker. This grammar emphasizes the act of "doing something for someone else."

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Godan verb stem + れる	Godan verbs	Indicates that someone does something for the speaker.
Ichidan verb stem + られる	Ichidan verbs	Indicates that someone does something for the speaker.

Basic Usage and Examples

• 木田きださんは、私わたしに本ほんを読んでくれました。
• Kida-san wa, watashi ni hon o yonde kuremashita.
• Mr. Kida read the book for me.
  

• 友ともだちが手伝てつだってくれました。
• Tomodachi ga tetsudatte kuremashita.
• My friend helped me.
  

• 母ははが料理りょうりを作つくってくれた。
• Haha ga ryouri o tsukutte kureta.
• My mom cooked for me.

Deep Dive

Types of Giving and Receiving Verbs

Giving and receiving verbs are divided into three categories:

• Giving to others: あげる (ageru)
• Receiving from others: くれる (kureru)
• Receiving from others: もらう (morau)

Here, we focus on 「くれる」, which indicates that someone does something for the speaker.

Usage Scenarios

• Everyday Conversations:

  • 兄あにが新あたらしいスマホを買かってくれた。
  • Ani ga atarashii sumaho o katte kureta.
  • My brother bought me a new phone.
    
  • 彼かれ女じょが弁当べんとうを作つくってくれた。
  • Kanojo ga bento o tsukutte kureta.
  • My girlfriend made me a bento.

• Workplace Communication:

  • 上司じょうしが資料しりょうを準備じゅんびしてくれました。
  • Joushi ga shiryou o junbi shite kuremashita.
  • My boss prepared the materials for me.
    
  • 同事どうしが仕事しごとを手伝てつだってくれた。
  • Doushi ga shigoto o tetsudatte kureta.
  • My colleague helped me with my work.

Comparison and Differences

「〜れる/〜られる」 vs. 「〜てあげる」

Expression	Usage	Example	English Translation
〜れる/〜られる	Someone does something for the speaker	友ともだちが私わたしに本ほんを読よんでくれました。	My friend read the book for me.
〜てあげる	The speaker does something for someone else	私わたしは友ともだちに本ほんを読よんであげました。	I read the book for my friend.

「〜れる/〜られる」 vs. 「〜てもらう」

Expression	Usage	Example	English Translation
〜れる/〜られる	Someone voluntarily does something for the speaker	友ともだちが手伝てつだってくれました。	My friend helped me.
〜てもらう	The speaker receives help from someone	友ともだちに手伝てつだってもらいました。	I received help from my friend.

Cultural Context

In Japanese culture, expressing gratitude and humility is very important. Therefore, using 「〜れる/〜られる」 to indicate that someone has done something for you not only conveys thanks but also reflects humility and politeness.

Summary

The 「〜れる/〜られる」 grammar structure emphasizes the act of someone doing something for the speaker. Through appropriate examples and comparisons, you can better understand its usage and grammatical rules.