One-Point Lesson: Asking for Stuff

Asking For Things

Kanji/kana Romaji   English -te form

手伝う         Tetsudau   to Help (receive assistance) testudatte

助ける         Tasukeru   to Help (receive aid) tasukete

伺う                  Ukagau   to Inquire ukagaite

貰う                 Morau   to Receive moratte

見る                 Miru      to See mite

貸す                 Kasu      to Lend kashite

借りる         Kariru   to Borrow karite

上げる         Ageru   to Give (upwards) agete

くれる         Kureru   to be Given (from a superior) kurete

There are several ways to ask for things. Usually, each verb has its own manner of sentence construction, but these auxiliary add ons can be applied to all sorts of verbs, not just these.

The "ageru / kureru" Construction

The verb "kureru" simply means to receive, to be given, and is the opposite of the verb "ageru," which means "to give," usually from an inferior to a superior as determined by Japanese social hierarchical structures.

Thus, a younger person will "ageru" something to an older person -- either something material, as in a gift, or immaterial, as in a favor.

When this construction is used, the verb "ageru" is attached to the "-te" form of the verb:

ジョンは田中さんに本を貸して上げた。

John wa Tanaka-san ni hon o kashite-ageta.

John loaned Miss Tanaka the book (did the favor of loaning Miss Tanaka a book)

田中さんはジョンから本を借りてくれた。

Tanaka-san wa John kara hon o karite-kureta.

Miss Tanaka borrowed the book from John (received the favor of being loaned the book by John)

マシュウさんを手伝って上げようか？

Mathieu-san o tetsudatte-ageyō ka?

Do you need any help? (Shall I help Mr. Mathieu?)

ちょっと手伝ってくれませんか？

Chotto tetsudatte kuremasen ka?

Could you give me a hand here? (Couldn't you help me?)

Other Constructions

お伺いしたいんですけど。。。

O-ukagai shitai'n desukedo . . .

Yes, I have a question for you . . . (I would humbly like to make an inquiry, please . . . )* 

*to a stranger, perhaps on the phone -- learn this phrase by rote, as it never changes

-te mo ii? Construction

~te mo ii? just means "is it okay if I ~?"

それを見てもいいですか？

Sore o mitemo ii desu ka?

Could I take a look at that? (Is it okay if I look at that?)

これ食べていいの？

Kore tabete ii no?

Can I eat this? (Is it okay if I eat this?)*

*Very friendly - note that the "mo" is dropped entirely and "ka" changes to the friendly "no"