頂く · godan verb (-ku)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 頂く | 頂かない |
| Polite | 頂きます | 頂きません |
| Past polite | 頂きました | 頂きませんでした |
| Past | 頂いた | 頂かなかった |
| Te-form | 頂いて | 頂かないで |
| Desire | 頂きたい | 頂きたくない |
| Potential | 頂ける | 頂けない |
| Passive | 頂かれる | 頂かれない |
| Causative | 頂かせる | 頂かせない |
| Causative passive | 頂かせられるalso 頂かされる | 頂かせられないalso 頂かされない |
| Volitional | 頂こう | |
| Polite volitional | 頂きましょう | |
| Imperative | 頂け | 頂くな |
| Conditional | 頂けば | 頂かなければ |
| Tara conditional | 頂いたら | 頂かなかったら |
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
receive; get; accept; take; buy
Humble verb for receiving something from a superior or someone to whom you want to show respect. Often used when the giver is of higher status. Can also be used for buying or taking something in a humble manner.
See also: もらう
I received a book from my teacher.
Thank you very much for the souvenir.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
Humble/polite verb for eating or drinking. Used to describe one's own actions or those of one's in-group when speaking to someone of higher status. Common in set phrases like いただきます before a meal.
Have you already eaten lunch? (polite)
I had some delicious coffee.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
be crowned with; wear on one's head; have on top
Original meaning: to place something on one's head or to have something above. Now mostly used in fixed expressions or literary contexts. The humble nuance is not present here.
The sight of Mt. Fuji crowned with snow is beautiful.
To wear a crown.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
have as one's leader; live under a ruler; install a president
Used when someone is placed in a high position or when one serves under a leader. Often seen in historical or formal contexts. Not humble.
We have him as our chairman.
A country that installs a new president.
auxiliary verb, godan verb (-ku)
have someone do something
Humble auxiliary verb following the -te form of a verb. Indicates that the speaker receives a favor from someone of higher status. The action is performed by the other person for the speaker's benefit.
See also: もらう
I had my teacher correct my composition.
Could you tell me the way to the station? (polite request)
I received a book from my senior.
I had my teacher help me.
We decided to have him as our chairman.
I'll take this sweater.
Could you please wait a moment?
差し上げる humbly describes the speaker giving something to a superior, while いただく humbly describes the speaker receiving something from a superior—opposite directions of the same polite exchange.
貰う is the neutral, everyday verb for receiving something; 頂く is the humble version used when the giver is of higher status or when showing respect.
食べる is the plain, neutral verb for eating; 頂く is the humble/polite form used when describing one's own eating in front of someone of higher status.
飲む is the plain, neutral verb for drinking; 頂く is the humble/polite equivalent used to describe one's own drinking respectfully.
いただく is the humble verb used when eating in formal or polite contexts; 食う sits at the opposite, blunt end of the politeness scale.
いただく is the humble verb describing the speaker's own act of receiving, while 下さる describes the superior's act of giving, so learners often mix up which side each verb marks.
頂く is the plain humble verb meaning 'to receive/eat,' whereas 頂ける is its potential form meaning 'can receive/eat.'
召し上がる is honorific and used for the actions of someone you respect, while いただく is humble and used for your own act of eating or drinking, so learners often mix up which one to apply to whom.