Kureta

Kureta is a Japanese verb that translates to "gave" in English. It is the past tense form of the verb "kureru" (くれる). The verb "kureru" is used when the giver is the speaker or someone close to the speaker, and the recipient is the speaker or someone close to the speaker. This is in contrast to the verb "ageru" (あげる), which is used when the giver is someone else and the recipient is also someone else, or when the giver is the speaker and the recipient is someone neither close to the speaker nor the speaker themselves.

The nuance of "kureru" and its past tense "kureta" implies a sense of receiving a favor or a gift from someone within one's in-group. For example, if a friend gives you a pen, you would say "Tomodachi ga pen o kureta" (友達がペンをくれた), meaning "My friend gave me a pen." The use of "kureta" highlights that the action was directed towards you and originated from someone who is considered an insider.

Conversely, if you give a pen to your friend, you would use "ageta" (あげた), the past tense of "ageru." So, "Watashi ga tomodachi ni pen o ageta" (私が友達にペンをあげた) would mean "I gave a pen to my friend." Understanding the distinction between "kureru/kureta" and "ageru/ageta" is crucial for accurate and natural-sounding Japanese communication, as it reflects the social context and relationships between the individuals involved in the act of giving and receiving.