てくれない・
A verb in the て-form followed by くれない or もらえない turns a negative question into a casual request: “Won’t you do this?” or “Could I have you do this?” These forms are especially common when asking someone familiar for a favor.
Two ways to frame the favor
くれない focuses on the listener doing something for the speaker. もらえない frames the same kind of request from the speaker's side: the speaker asks whether they can receive the listener's action as a favor. In many everyday situations, either can be natural.
Everyday requests
Use rising question intonation in speech. The question mark below represents that intonation.
Making the request gentler
Adding かな makes the request sound more tentative, as if wondering whether the listener could help. Endings such as ですか or でしょうか add politeness, but the choice should still fit your relationship with the listener.
Softer versions
A polite but more direct alternative
A verb in the て-form followed by ください makes a polite request, but it directly tells the listener what action is wanted. By contrast, the same verb form followed by くれない？ or もらえない？ presents the request as a negative question about receiving a favor.
こちらにお名前を書いてください。
Please write your name here.
AnalyzeThis is a direct polite instruction or request, not the casual negative-question pattern taught on this page.
More examples
これ、ちょっと見てくれない？
Could you take a quick look at this?
Analyze帰りに牛乳を買ってきてくれない？
Could you pick up some milk on your way back?
Analyze発表の前に、この文章を読んでもらえない？
Could you read this passage before the presentation?
Analyze悪いけど、少し待ってくれない？
Sorry, but could you wait a moment?
Analyzeこの写真、送ってもらえないかな。
I wonder if you could send me this photo.
Analyzeもう少しゆっくり話してくれない？
Could you speak a little more slowly?
Analyze