てあげる

Do for Someone

Level 2Sounds Like teageru

The pattern 〜てあげる is used to express that you are doing something for someone else as a favor or kindness. It combines the て-form of a verb with the verb あげる (to give).

How It Works

1. Formation
To form this pattern, take the て-form of any verb and add あげる.

  • 教える（おしえる）→ 教えてあげる (to teach for someone)
  • 貸す（かす）→ 貸してあげる (to lend for someone)

2. Directionality: The In-Group Rule
This pattern is strictly for actions moving 'away' from the speaker's circle. You use it when you (or someone in your in-group, like family) do something for another person. Crucially, you cannot use it when someone does something for you or your in-group; in those cases, you must use てくれる or てもらう.

3. Third-Party Interactions
You can also use this pattern to describe one person doing something for another (A doing for B) if you are socially closer to the person doing the action, or if you are viewing the situation from their perspective.

4. Social Nuance and Caution
While this pattern means 'to do for someone,' it carries a strong nuance of 'doing a favor.' Because it highlights your own kindness, it can sound patronizing or arrogant if used toward superiors (like teachers or bosses). It implies that the listener should be grateful to you. Among close friends or family, or when speaking to children, it is very common and natural.

5. Particles and Recipients
The particle used for the recipient depends on the base verb's requirements. While many verbs use に for the target, others may use を.

  • Target Marker: 友達に本を貸してあげた。(I lent a book to my friend.)
  • Object Marker: 弟を手伝ってあげた。(I helped my younger brother.)

If the verb doesn't naturally take a person as an object or target, use 〜のために to indicate the favor is for their benefit.

6. Register and Variations
In polite speech, use 〜てあげます. In casual speech, use 〜てあげる. For pets or plants, some speakers use the rougher 〜てやる, though this is very casual. For very formal situations, the humble version 〜て差し上げる exists, but even this can sound patronizing to a superior because it explicitly labels the act as a 'favor.' In business contexts, it is often better to use humble forms of the base verb (e.g., お持ちします) instead.

Examples (4)

  1. 友達に漢字を教えてあげました。

    I taught my friend kanji (as a favor).

    Word by Word: Friend to kanji (object) teaching gave.

    Using 〜てあげました shows that the speaker considers teaching the kanji to be a helpful act for the friend.

  2. 荷物を持ってあげましょうか？

    Shall I carry your bags for you?

    Word by Word: Baggage (object) carrying shall I give?

    This is a common way to offer help. However, with a superior, it is safer to use a humble form like 'お持ちしましょうか'.

  3. 妹のためにパーティーを開いてあげた。

    I threw a party for my younger sister.

    Word by Word: Little sister for the sake of party (object) opening gave.

    When the beneficiary isn't the direct object of the verb, '〜のために' (for the sake of) is often used with 〜てあげる.

  4. 猫に餌を買ってあげた。

    I bought food for the cat.

    Word by Word: Cat to food (object) buying gave.

    While traditionally '〜てやる' was used for animals, many modern speakers use 〜てあげる to show affection.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 〜てあげる when someone does a favor for YOU.

    先生が私に教えてあげました。
    先生が私に教えてくれました。

    〜てあげる is for 'giving' a favor outward. When someone gives a favor to you, you must use 〜てくれる.

  • Using 〜てあげる to a superior (like a boss).

    社長、手伝ってあげます。
    社長、お手伝いします。

    Telling a boss 'I will do you the favor of helping' sounds rude. It is better to use a neutral verb or a humble form (お〜する).

How It Connects

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てあげるLevel 2Do for Someone

Learn This First

To understand 'てあげる', you first need to know how to conjugate verbs into the te-form. You also need to understand the basic concept of 'giving' (あげる) and how to use the particle 'に' to mark the person receiving the action.

Words in This Pattern

上げる