あげる

To Give (To Others)

Level 2Sounds Like ageru

あげる is the standard Japanese verb for 'to give.' It describes an outward movement: from the speaker to someone else, or between two other people. It can never be used when the speaker is the one receiving the item.

How It Works

1. Basic Sentence Structure
The standard pattern is:
[Giver] は/が + [Recipient] に + [Object] を + あげる
In Japanese, the subject (the giver) is usually omitted when it is the speaker.
Example: 友達（ともだち）に本（ほん）をあげました。 (I gave a book to my friend.)

2. Social Nuance and Hierarchy
Originally derived from the kanji 上げる（あげる - to raise/lift up）, あげる is now the standard verb for giving to equals or friends. For children, pets, or plants, the verb やる is traditionally used, though あげる is increasingly common for a gentler tone. When giving to a superior (like a boss), use 差し上げる（さしあげる）.

3. The Benefactive Auxiliary (〜てあげる)
When attached to the て form of a verb, it means 'to do something as a favor.'
Example: 料理（りょうり）を作（つく）ってあげる (To cook for someone).
Caution: Using てあげる or て差し上げる directly to a superior can sound patronizing or rude because it explicitly points out that you are doing them a favor. In professional contexts, the humble お〜します structure is preferred.

4. Directional Restriction
あげる represents 'outward' giving. You use it when you give to others, including your own family members (e.g., giving to a sister). You never use あげる when an outsider gives something to you or your in-group; in those cases, you must use くれる.

Examples (4)

  1. 私は誕生日に妹にプレゼントをあげた。

    I gave my younger sister a present for her birthday.

    Word by Word: I / birthday on / younger sister to / present / gave.

    This shows the most basic use: the speaker giving an object to a family member or friend.

  2. 田中さんは佐藤さんに花をあげました。

    Mr. Tanaka gave flowers to Ms. Sato.

    Word by Word: Tanaka-san / Sato-san to / flowers / gave.

    あげる is also used for transactions between two third parties.

  3. 重い荷物を持ってあげましょうか？

    Shall I carry your heavy bags for you?

    Word by Word: Heavy / luggage / carry (te-form) / shall give?

    Here, てあげる is used to offer a favor (carrying bags).

  4. 毎日、猫にえさをあげます。

    I give food to the cat every day.

    Word by Word: Every day / cat to / food / give.

    While 'yaru' is traditional for animals, あげる is very common in polite, gentle speech.

Common Mistakes

  • Using あげる when you are the receiver.

    友達が私にプレゼントをあげました。
    友達が私にプレゼントをくれました。

    In Japanese, you cannot use あげる for 'inward' giving. When someone gives to you, you must use くれる.

  • Using 〜てあげる to a superior.

    先生、漢字を教えてあげます。
    先生、漢字を教えましょうか。

    Using てあげる to a teacher sounds like you are acting superior by 'bestowing' a favor. It is better to use a simple offer like 〜ましょうか.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

あげるLevel 2To Give (To Others)

Learn This First

To use 'あげる' (to give), you need to understand basic sentence structure involving a giver (subject), a receiver (marked by に), and an object (marked by を). It also requires a basic understanding of how verbs are used to describe actions between people.

Words in This Pattern

あげる