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Activities: "How to say “to give” and “to receive” in Japanese?"

By: Masaru Mito

Activity 1: Describe gifting

Part 1: あげる

Describe the following examples of giving, using あげる.

Part 2: くれる and もらう

Describe the following examples of giving, using くれる. Then rephrase the sentences with もらう.

Activity 2: Which verb?

Select the most appropriate Japanese verb in the parentheses.

  1. 田中さんが私に花を ( ／ )。 Tanaka san ga watashi ni hana o ( agemashita / kuremashita ). Ms. Tanaka gave me flowers.

  2. 私の親友がクラスメートに誕生日プレゼントを ( ／ )。 Watashi no shinyū ga kurasu mēto ni tanjōbi purezento o ( agemashita / kuremashita ). My best friend gave her classmate a birthday present.

  3. 山田さんが佐藤さんに本を ( ／ )。*both are equally close to the speaker Yamada san ga satō san ni hon o ( agemashita / kuremashita ). Mr. Yamada gave Mr. Sato a book.

  4. 卒業式の後、私は先生にメッセージカードを ( ／ )。 Sotsugyōshiki no ato, watashi wa sensei ni messēji kādo o ( sashiagemashita / kudasaimashita ). After the graduation ceremony, I gave my teacher a message card.

  5. ABC社の田中様がみんなにギフトカードを ( ／ )。 ABCsha no tanaka sama ga min’na ni gifuto kādo o ( sashiagemashita / kudasaimashita ). Mr. Tanaka from ABC company gave us gift cards.

Challenge!

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

  1. 私は林さんにおかしを ( ／ )。 Watashi wa Hayashi san ni okashi o ( kuremashita / moraimashita ).

  2. 友達が私の母にクッキーを ( ／ )。 Tomodachi ga watashi no haha ni kukkī o ( kuremashita / moraimashita ).

  3. 私は先生におみやげを ( ／ )。 Watashi wa sensei ni omiyage o ( kudasaimashita / itadakimashita ).