Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
To perform an action for the benefit of someone else; to offer a favor or assistance.
🎯 Primary Function
Expressing that the subject is doing something for the benefit of an indirect object (the receiver of the action), implying a unilateral act of giving or offering help.
📋 Grammar Structure
[Verb] て-form + あげる
N/A (Used only with verbs in the て-form)
N/A (Used only with verbs in the て-form)
[Verb] て-form + あげない (To not do a favor for someone)
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Generally replaced by the humble form **〜てさしあげる** (~te sashiageru) when the receiver is of higher status, or by other humble verb forms. The plain 〜てあげる is used in polite speech (〜てあげます) for peers.
Informal Situations
Used very commonly among family, friends, and people of equal or lower status. May be replaced by the very casual **〜てやる** (~te yaru) in intimate or rough contexts.
Written Language
Used frequently in narrative dialogue, letters, and casual written communications. Less common in highly formal documents.
Spoken Language
Very common and central to daily conversation, particularly for offering or describing assistance.
💡 Common Applications
Offering help to a peer or younger person.
Used naturally when the speaker’s action benefits someone considered equal or lower in status. This is its most common application.
Example: 宿題を**手伝ってあげる**よ。 (I will help you with your homework.)
Describing actions done for an animal or an object.
Since animals/objects are considered lower status, てあげる or the more casual/rough てやる are used. The humble form てさしあげる is inappropriate.
Example: 犬に餌を**やってあげる**。(I’ll feed the dog.)
Expressing a unidirectional action of giving/benefiting.
The focus is on the speaker (the subject) actively providing the benefit, and the action moves away from the speaker.
Example: 彼に資料を**送ってあげた**。 (I sent him the documents.)
Frequency
High (Essential structure for expressing favor transactions)
Difficulty
N4
Tag:
Example Sentences
Example #1
友達にパソコンの使い方を教えてあげた。
Furigana: ともだちに パソコンの つかいかたを おしえてあげた。
Romaji: Tomodachi ni pasokon no tsukaikata o oshiete ageta.
English: I taught my friend how to use the computer (for their benefit).
Example #2
重い荷物なので、私が持ってあげましょうか。
Furigana: おもい にもつなので、わたしが もってあげましょうか。
Romaji: Omoi nimotsu nanode, watashi ga motte agemashō ka.
English: Since it’s heavy luggage, shall I carry it for you? (Offering help)
Example #3
弟に新しいゲームを買ってあげた。
Furigana: おとうとに あたらしい ゲームを かってあげた。
Romaji: Otōto ni atarashī gēmu o katte ageta.
English: I bought my younger brother a new game (as a gift/favor).
Example #4
彼女のために、晩ご飯を作ってあげた。
Furigana: かのじょのために、ばんごはんを つくってあげた。
Romaji: Kanojo no tame ni, bangohan o tsukutte ageta.
English: I cooked dinner for my girlfriend.
Example #5
彼が困っていたから、お金を貸してあげた。
Furigana: かれが こまっていたから、おかねを かしてあげた。
Romaji: Kare ga komatteita kara, okane o kashite ageta.
English: Because he was in trouble, I lent him money.
Example #6
窓が開いているよ。閉めてあげるね。
Furigana: まどが あいているよ。しめてあげるね。
Romaji: Mado ga aiteiru yo. Shimete ageru ne.
English: The window is open. I’ll close it for you.
Example #7
宿題がまだ終わらないの？私が手伝ってあげるよ。
Furigana: しゅくだいが まだ おわらないの？わたしが てつだってあげるよ。
Romaji: Shukudai ga mada owaranai no? Watashi ga tetsudatte ageru yo.
English: Your homework isn’t finished yet? I’ll help you with it.
Example #8
この本はもう読まないから、君にあげようか。
Furigana: この ほんは もう よまないから、きみに あげようか。
Romaji: Kono hon wa mō yomanai kara, kimi ni ageyō ka.
English: I won’t read this book anymore, so shall I give it to you?
Example #9
昨日、公園で迷子になっている子を探してあげました。
Furigana: きのう、こうえんで まいごに なっているこを さがしてあげました。
Romaji: Kinō, kōen de maigo ni natteiru ko o sagashite agemashita.
English: Yesterday, I searched for the child who was lost in the park (for their sake).
Example #10
彼女の誕生日プレゼントを選んであげた。
Furigana: かのじょの たんじょうび プレゼントを えらんであげた。
Romaji: Kanojo no tanjōbi purezento o erande ageta.
English: I chose a birthday present for her.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Direction of Action (Away from Speaker)
**あげる** always shows the action moving *away* from the speaker (or the subject) towards the receiver. This directionality is key to the Giver/Receiver system.
Example: 私は妹に辞書を**買ってあげた**。 (I bought my sister a dictionary.)
Avoid Use with Superiors
Never use 〜てあげる for superiors (teachers, bosses, elders). Use the humble form **〜てさしあげる** or a different humble expression entirely.
Example: 社長に資料を**お見せしました**。 (I showed the documents to the president – humble verb), NOT 見せてあげた。
Focus on the Giver’s Action
This structure emphasizes the Giver’s action or kindness. If you want to focus on the receiver’s gratitude, use **〜てもらう** (~te morau) or **〜てくれる** (~te kureru).
Example: 彼にチケットを**あげた**。(I gave him the ticket.) vs. 彼にチケットを**もらった**。(I received the ticket from him.)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ 先生に質問を教えて**あげた**。
✅ 先生に質問を**しました** or **お伺いしました**。
Using 〜てあげる towards a teacher or superior is considered rude, as it implies the speaker is doing the superior a favor. Use standard or humble verb forms instead.
❌ 友達が私に本を**買ってあげた**。
✅ 友達が私に本を**買ってくれた**。
When the action is directed *toward* the speaker, you must use **〜てくれる** (~te kureru). あげる always indicates the action moving away from the speaker.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Casual to Polite (〜てあげます). Requires social awareness; inappropriate for use with true superiors.
Social Situations: Crucial for understanding the social dynamics of giving and receiving favors, which is highly emphasized in Japanese culture. It frames the action as a kindness provided by the subject.
Regional Variations: The use of 〜てやる instead of 〜てあげる can vary regionally, with some dialects using it more frequently, though it remains generally less formal than あげる.
🔍 Subtle Differences
〜てあげる vs. 〜てくれる
てあげる means ‘I do something for you.’ てくれる means ‘You do something for me/us.’
When to use: Use てあげる when the benefit moves away from you; use てくれる when the benefit moves toward you or your in-group.
〜てあげる vs. 〜てさしあげる
てさしあげる is the humble/formal equivalent of てあげる. It shows respect to the receiver.
When to use: Use てさしあげる for superiors, elders, or in highly formal settings; use てあげる for peers, subordinates, or family.
〜てあげる vs. 〜てやる
てやる is a very casual, often rough version of てあげる, emphasizing the giver’s power/status.
When to use: Reserved for very informal speech, or actions towards non-humans (pets, plants), or people of significantly lower status. Should be used with caution.
📝 Conjugation Notes
The main verb must be conjugated into the て-form (V-て), and then あげる follows. This structure acts as a single verb unit. E.g., 読む (yomu) -> 読んであげる (yonde ageru).
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The て-form of the verb should be pronounced clearly and smoothly connect to the ‘a’ of あげる, without pausing too long between the two parts. The pitch pattern of あげる often rises on the first syllable.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of the ‘A’ in **A**geru (あげる) as standing for **A**way from the speaker. The favor moves ‘away’ from you.
Other Grammar
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