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Activities: "How to describe giving and receiving favors in Japanese?"

By: Masaru Mito

Activity 1: Describe favors

Part 1: 〜てあげる

Describe the following favors, using 〜てあげる. Look up the verb's te-form in case you forgot how to make it.

Part 2: 〜てくれる and 〜てもらう

Describe the following favors, using 〜てくれる. Then, rephrase the sentences with 〜てもらう.

Activity 2: Which verb?

Select the most appropriate Japanese verb in the parentheses.

  1. 山田さんが私の絵を描いて ( )。 Yamada san ga watashi no e o kaite ( agemashita / kuremashita ). Ms. Yamada drew a picture of me.

  2. 私の親友がクラスメートのために誕生日パーティを開いて ( )。 Watashi no shinyū ga kurasu mēto no tameni tanjōbi pātī o hiraite ( agemashita / kuremashita ). My best friend held a birthday party for her classmate.

  3. 田中さんが佐藤さんに本を貸して ( )。*both are equally close to the speaker Tanaka san ga Satō san ni hon o kashite ( agemashita / kuremashita ). Mr. Tanaka lent a book to Mr. Sato.

  4. 部長がみんなに晩ご飯をごちそうして ( )。 Buchō ga min’na ni bangohan o gochisō shite ( sashiagemashita / kudasaimashita ). Our boss treated us to dinner.

Challenge!

Let’s choose the appropriate one without English translations. As a hint, use the word bank and the context!

  1. 林さんは私におかしを作って ( )。 Hayashi san wa watashi ni okashi o tsukutte ( kuremashita / moraimashita ).

  2. 弟は私の友達に歴史を教えて ( )。 Otōto wa watashi no tomodachi ni rekishi o oshiete ( kuremashita / moraimashita ).

  3. 私は先生に推薦状を書いて ( )。 Watashi wa sensei ni suisenjō o kaite ( kudasaimashita / itadakimashita ).