Learn Japanese
Learn Japanese Grammar: Part 8
1. 〜てあげる／〜てもらう／〜てくれる
Meaning & Explanation: These expressions are used to describe giving or receiving acts of kindness (actions, not things).
〜てあげる = “do something for someone” (speaker or someone gives a favor)
〜てくれる = “someone does something for me/us” (speaker receives a favor)
〜てもらう = “I get someone to do something for me” (focuses on receiving a favor)
Sentence Structure:
[giver] は [receiver] に 〜てあげる
私は [giver] に 〜てもらう
Usage Tips:
– あげる：Use when the speaker gives a favor (can sound arrogant if used upward).
– くれる：Use when the speaker or in-group receives a favor.
– もらう：Use when the speaker receives a favor from someone.
Examples:
彼は私に本を貸してくれました。
( かれは わたしに ほんを かしてくれました。)
He lent me a book. (He did a favor for me.)
私は友達に宿題を手伝ってもらいました。
( わたしは ともだちに しゅくだいを てつだってもらいました。)
I had my friend help me with my homework.
2. 〜させてあげる／〜させてもらう／〜させてくれる
Meaning & Explanation: These express giving/receiving permission to let someone do something (causative + kindness).
~させてあげる = “let someone do (as a favor to them)”
~させてくれる = “someone lets me do (as a favor to me)”
~させてもらう = “I am allowed to do (gratefully receiving permission)”
Sentence Structure:
[subject] は [person] に [causative verb] + させてあげる/ くれる/ もらう
Usage Tips:
させてもらう: Polite and commonly used to express gratitude for being allowed to do something.
させてくれる: Also shows gratitude, but focuses more on the giver’s action.
Examples:
母は私にピアノを習わせてくれました。
(はははわたしにぴあのをならわせてくれました。)
My mother let me take piano lessons.
先生にレポートを提出させてもらいました。
(せんせいに れぽーとをていしゅつさせてもらいました。)
I was allowed to submit the report.
3. 〜そうだ (appearance / seems)
Meaning & Explanation:
Used to describe something that looks like it will happen soon or appears a certain way (based on visual cues). (Not to be confused with ~そうだ for hearsay).
Sentence Structure:
[い-adjective (remove い)] + そうだ
Usage Tips:
– Cannot be used for things based on non-visual info.
– Watch out for exceptions like いい→よさそう.
Examples:
このケーキは美味しそうです。
(このけーきはおいしそうです。)
This cake looks delicious.
雨が降りそうです。
(あめがふりそうです。)
It looks like it’s going to rain.
4. 〜ようだ
Meaning & Explanation:
Expresses that something seems to be the case based on evidence, reasoning, or impression.
Sentence Structure:
Noun + のようだ
Verb (casual) + ようだ
Adjective + ようだ
Usage Tips:
– Use for logical guesses, impressions, or metaphors.
– More objective than 〜みたい。
Examples:
彼は病気のようです。
(かれはびょうきのようです。)
He seems to be sick.
外は静かなようだ。
(そとはしずかなようだ。)
It seems quiet outside.
5. 〜らしい
Meaning & Explanation:
Used to express what something apparently is based on hearsay or reputation, or describe something as typical of X.
Sentence Structure:
Noun/verb/ adjective + らしい
Usage Tips:
– More subjective than ~ようだ。
– Can also mean “typical of” (e.g., 男らしい = manly).
Examples:
明日は雨が降るらしいです。
(あしたは あめがふるらしいです。)
It seems it will rain tomorrow. (I heard.)
彼は日本人らしいです。
(かれはにほんじんらしいです。)
He seems to be Japanese.
6. 〜みたい
Meaning & Explanation:
Colloquial form of ~ようだ. Means looks like/seems like. Used for guesses, comparisons, or similarity.
Sentence Structure:
Noun/ verb/ adjective + みたい
Usage Tips:
– More casual and spoken than ~ようだ。
– Can be used to compare (e.g., “like a cat”).
Examples:
あの人は先生みたいです。
(あのひとはせんせいみたいです。)
That person looks like a teacher.
雪が降りそうみたいですね。
( ゆきがふりそうみたいですね。 )
It seems like it’s going to snow.
Related Post:
Quick Review of JLPT N4–N5 Grammar
JLPT N4 Grammar: Part 1
