Example 1
友達が宿題を手伝ってくれました。
Tomodachi ga shukudai wo tetsudatte kuremashita.
My friend helped me with my homework.
Breakdown
友達friend
がsubject marker
宿題homework
をobject marker
手伝ってhelp (te-form)
くれましたdid for me (polite past)
Note: Shows a friend did a favor for the speaker.
Example 2
弟が部屋を掃除してくれた。
Otouto ga heya wo souji shite kureta.
My younger brother cleaned the room for me.
Breakdown
弟younger brother
がsubject marker
部屋room
をobject marker
掃除してclean (te-form)
くれたdid for me (past)
Note: Expresses gratitude for a favor done by the speaker's brother.
Example 3
先生が質問に答えてくれます。
Sensei ga shitsumon ni kotaete kuremasu.
The teacher answers my questions for me.
Breakdown
先生teacher
がsubject marker
質問question
にtarget marker
答えてanswer (te-form)
くれますdoes for me (polite)
Note: The teacher is doing the favor of answering questions.
Example 4
彼女が手紙を書いてくれる。
Kanojo ga tegami wo kaite kureru.
She writes a letter for me.
Breakdown
彼女she/girlfriend
がsubject marker
手紙letter
をobject marker
書いてwrite (te-form)
くれるdoes for me
Note: Describes a favor done by 'her' for the speaker.