あげます/もらいます/くれます — I genuinely cannot keep these straight

Question

every textbook explains these giving verbs and I nod along and then five minutes later I've forgotten which one goes with which direction lol. is there some kind of trick to just LOCK this in my brain

Accepted Answer

This is one of the most classic N5 headaches, so you're not alone. Think of it purely by direction of the arrow: あげます = I (or someone) give TO another person — 私は友達に本をあげました (I gave my friend a book), the receiver takes に. もらいます = I receive FROM someone — 友達からプレゼントをもらいました (I received a present from my friend), the source takes から. くれます = someone gives TO ME specifically — 彼がプレゼントを私にくれました (he gave me a present), the giver takes が and the receiver is always 私に. The trick: if "me" is the receiver, it's either もらいます (from-my-perspective-receiving) or くれます (someone-generously-giving-to-me); if "me" is the giver, it's あげます.

Answer

くれます一直係我最卡嗰個，因為あげます都可以講「我畀人」，但くれます專門係「人哋畀我」，兩者感覺好似但方向唔同。

Answer

the arrow trick above is so good, saving this comment forever