Are you confident in using “give” and “receive” in Japanese?
It may not be as easy as you think! π
But no worries!
Just watch this video, and you can use them perfectly! β¨πβ¨
Give and Receive in Japanese
Let’s imagine a situation like this.

Ms. Oda gave a present to Mr. Tanaka.
γγ γγγ―γγγͺγγγγ« γγ¬γΌγ³γγ γγγΎγγγ
Oda san wa Tanaka san ni purezento wo agemashita.
If we describe this situation from Mr. Tanaka’s perspective.
Mr. Tanaka received a present from Ms. Oda.
γγͺγγγγ―γγγ γγγγ/γ« γγ¬γΌγ³γγ γγγγΎγγγ
Tanaka san wa Oda san kara/ni purezento wo moraimashita.
There are two possible particles to show who gave a present.
γγͺγγγγ―γγγ γγγγ γγ¬γΌγ³γγ γγγγΎγγγ
Tanaka san wa Oda san kara purezento wo moraimashita.
γγͺγγγγ―γγγ γγγ« γγ¬γΌγ³γγ γγγγΎγγγ
Tanaka san wa Oda san ni purezento wo moraimashita.
Give and Receive Sentence structure
Give (something) to (someone)
(someone) γ« (something) γγγγγΎγ
(someone) ni (something) wo agemasu
Receive (something) to (someone)
(someone) γγ (something) γγγγγγΎγ
(someone) kara (something) wo moraimasu
or
(someone) γ« (something) γγγγγγΎγ
(someone) ni (something) wo moraimasu
We usually don’t say this…
Please be careful!
Imagine this situation.

Β
I gave a present to Mr. Tanaka.
γγͺγγγγ« γγ¬γΌγ³γγ γγγΎγγγ
Tanaka san ni purezento wo agemashita.
Β
Grammatically, it’s possible to make a sentence like this.
Mr. Tanaka received a present from me.
γγͺγγγγ―γγγγγγ/γ« γγ¬γΌγ³γγ γγγγΎγγγ
Tanaka san wa watashi kara/ni purezento wo moraimashita.
Β
But we don’t say this often.
So please avoid using it.
Β
γγγΎγ “Give to me”
In the Japanese language, we have another “Give”
We have the special word, “γγγΎγ kuremasu,” which means “give to me”Β
Β

Β
Mr. Tanaka gave a present to me.
γγͺγγγγ― (γγγγ«) γγ¬γΌγ³γγ γγγΎγγγ
Tanaka san wa (watashi ni) purezento wo kuremashita.
*As “γγγΎγ kuremasu” means “give to me,” you don’t have to mention “γγγγ« watashi ni.”
Β
But the good news is, “receive” is always “γγγγΎγ moraimasu.”π
Β
I received a present from Mr. Tanaka.
γγγγ―γγγͺγγγγγ/γ« γγ¬γΌγ³γγ γγγγΎγγγ
Watashi wa Tanaka san kara/ni purezento wo moraimashita.
Β
It’s simple, isn’t it? π
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Recap: Give and Receive in JapaneseΒ
In the Japanese language, we have two Give verbs.
Give γγγΎγ agemasu
and
Give to me
γγγΎγ kuremasu.
Β
But we have just one “Receive” in Japanese.
γγγγΎγ moraimasu.
Β
Just be careful, as there are two particle options to indicate who the giver is.
Β
Receive (something) from (someone)
(someone) γγ (something) γγγγγγΎγ
(someone) kara (something) wo moraimasu
or
(someone) γ« (something) γγγγγγΎγ
(someone) ni (something) wo moraimasu
Β
Happy learning!
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