あげる・くれる・もらう
The give–receive verbs and the direction of a favormachine translation
FormationGiver は/が + recipient に + item を + あげる／くれる；recipient は/が + giver に/から + item を + もらう
Japanese chooses its verb for "give" based on the direction of the favor relative to the speaker — a distinction Vietnamese does not make, so you need a firm grasp of it before learning the patterns 〜てあげる・〜てくれる・〜てもらう. あげる: I or someone else gives to an outsider (the favor flows outward). くれる: someone gives to ME or to someone close to me (the favor flows inward). もらう: to receive from someone.
Structure: giver は/が + recipient に + item を + あげる／くれる. With もらう it is the reverse: the recipient is the subject, and the giver takes に or から: 私は友達にチケットをもらいました. The same event can be stated in either direction: 田中さんは私に本をくれました ＝ 私は田中さんに本をもらいました.
The classic learner mistake is using あげる when the recipient is yourself. Remember the golden rule: whenever the favor flows TOWARD you or your family, you must use くれる — never あげる. When the giver or recipient is a social superior, this trio switches to the honorific forms さしあげる・くださる・いただく — covered in a later lesson.
Examples
私は妹に誕生日のプレゼントをあげました。
I gave my little sister a birthday present.
田中さんは私にお土産をくれました。
Mr. Tanaka gave me a souvenir.
私は友達に映画のチケットをもらいました。
I got a movie ticket from a friend.