What’s the Difference? 貸す (kasu) vs. 借りる (kariru) – A Simple Guide to “Lend” and “Borrow” in Japanese (N5-N3)
Do you ever get confused about 貸す (kasu) and 借りる (kariru)? You are not alone! These two Japanese verbs are very important for daily life, but they are exact opposites. Many N5 to N3 learners find the difference tricky.
- 貸す (kasu) means “to lend” or “to give” something to someone temporarily.
- 借りる (kariru) means “to borrow” or “to receive” something from someone temporarily.
In English, it is the difference between “lend” and “borrow.” The most important thing to remember is the direction of the item.
In this simple grammar guide, we will look at the difference between 貸す and 借りる. You will learn how to use them, see many example sentences, and practice, so you can use them correctly and sound natural.
Usage Explanation ①: 借りる (kariru) – To Borrow
What is 借りる (kariru)?
借りる (kariru) means “to borrow” or “to rent”.
You use this verb when you are the person who is receiving or taking an item from someone else for a short time. The action comes toward you.
(Receiver) は (Giver) に (Object) を 借りる。
(Receiver) borrows (Object) from (Giver).
Example Sentences:
- 私（わたし）は 田中（たなか）さん に 傘（かさ） を 借（か）りました。
I borrowed an umbrella from Mr. Tanaka. - 彼（かれ）は 図書館（としょかん） で 本（ほん） を 借（か）りました。
He borrowed a book at the library. (Note: We use `で (de)` for a place.)
How to Ask: “May I borrow…?”
To ask for permission to borrow something, you use the Te-form + もいいですか (mo ii desu ka). The Te-form of `借りる (kariru)` is `借りて (karite)`.
[Object] を 借（か）りてもいいですか。
May I borrow [Object]?
- すみません、このペン を 借（か）りてもいいですか。
Excuse me, may I borrow this pen?
Usage Explanation ②: 貸す (kasu) – To Lend
What is 貸す (kasu)?
貸す (kasu) means “to lend” or “to loan”.
You use this verb when you are the person who is giving an item to someone else for a short time. The action goes away from you.
(Giver) は (Receiver) に (Object) を 貸す。
(Giver) lends (Object) to (Receiver).
Example Sentences:
- 私（わたし）は マリアさん に 辞書（じしょ） を 貸（か）しました。
I lent a dictionary to Maria. - 銀行（ぎんこう）は 父（ちち） に お金（かね） を 貸（か）しました。
The bank lent money to my father.
How to Ask: “Could you lend me…?”
To ask someone to do you the favor of lending something, you use the Te-form + くれませんか (kuremasen ka). The Te-form of `貸す (kasu)` is `貸して (kashite)`.
[Object] を 貸（か）してくれませんか。
Could you (please) lend me [Object]?
- すみません、お金（かね） を 貸（か）してくれませんか。
Excuse me, could you please lend me money?
Comparison: 借りる (kariru) vs. 貸す (kasu)
Let’s look at the difference side-by-side. The most important point is your perspective. Are you the Giver or the Receiver?
| Feature | 借りる (kariru) | 貸す (kasu) |
|---|---|---|
| English Meaning | To Borrow / To Rent | To Lend / To Loan |
| Action | Receiving an item (IN) | Giving an item (OUT) |
| Your Perspective | You are the Borrower | You are the Lender |
| Grammar | (Giver) に … 借りる (Borrow from Giver) |
(Receiver) に … 貸す (Lend to Receiver) |
| Polite Request | 借（か）りてもいいですか。 (May I borrow…?) |
貸（か）してくれませんか。 (Could you lend…?) |
Common Mistakes
This is where many learners make mistakes. Let’s fix them!
Mistake 1: Using the wrong verb for the subject.
- INCORRECT: ✕ 私（わたし）は 先生（せんせい）に 本（ほん）を 貸（か）しました。
(This means: “I lent a book to my teacher.”) - CORRECT: ○ 私（わたし）は 先生（せんせい）に 本（ほん）を 借（か）りました。
(This means: “I borrowed a book from my teacher.”)
Mistake 2: Confusing the request forms.
When you want to borrow a pen from a friend:
- INCORRECT: ✕ ペンを 貸（か）してもいいですか。
(This means: “May I lend a pen?” This is a strange question.) - CORRECT: ○ ペンを 借（か）りてもいいですか。
(This means: “May I borrow a pen?” This is correct.) - ALSO CORRECT: ○ ペンを 貸（か）してくれませんか。
(This means: “Could you lend me a pen?” This is also correct.)
借りる (kariru): I do the action of borrowing.
貸す (kasu): You do the action of lending.
Practice Questions
Let’s check your understanding! Choose the correct verb, 貸す or 借りる, and change it to the correct form.
- 私（わたし）は 友達（ともだち）に ノートを ( ______ ) もらいました。
- ジョンさんは キムさんに CDを ( ______ ) あげました。
- すみません、この 辞書（じしょ）を ( ______ ) もいいですか。
- 銀行（ぎんこう）から お金を ( ______ ) のは 大変（たいへん）です。
- Answer Key
- A1: 貸（か）して (kashite)
Explanation: My friend did the action of lending (kashite) for me (moraimashita). - A2: 貸（か）して (kashite)
Explanation: John did the action of lending (kashite) to Kim (agemashita). - A3: 借（か）りても (karite mo)
Explanation: “May I borrow…?” is `借りてもいいですか`. - A4: 借（か）りる (kariru)
Explanation: “Borrowing money from the bank” is the topic.
Conclusion
How did you do? The difference between 貸す (kasu) and 借りる (kariru) is simple if you remember the direction!
借りる (kariru) = To Borrow(Action comes IN to you)貸す (kasu) = To Lend(Action goes OUT from you)
Practice asking your friends: 「ペンを借りてもいいですか。」 (May I borrow a pen?) or offering: 「ペンを貸しましょうか。」 (Shall I lend you a pen?). Keep practicing, and you will master this important grammar!
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Q1: What is the difference between `に (ni)` and `から (kara)` with `借りる (kariru)`?
- A: Both `[Person] に 借りる` and `[Person] から 借りる` are correct and mean “to borrow from [Person].” `に (ni)` is very common for people. `から (kara)` (which means “from”) can also be used, especially with institutions like `銀行から借りる` (borrow from a bank). Both are okay for N5-N3.
- Q2: How do I say “to rent” (like a car or apartment)?
- A: You also use 借りる (kariru)! `借りる` means “to use temporarily.” If you pay money, it means “to rent.” For example, `車を借ります` (I will rent a car). The opposite, “to rent out” (to someone else), is 貸す (kasu).
- Q3: What are the verb types and Te-forms?
- A: 借りる (kariru) is an Ichidan verb (Group 2 / ru-verb). Its Te-form is 借りて (karite). 貸す (kasu) is a Godan verb (Group 1 / u-verb). Its Te-form is 貸して (kashite).
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