Doing Favors for Others (～てあげる)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use ～てあげる to show you performed an action for someone else's benefit.
- Attach ～てあげる to the te-form of a verb: {買う|かう} → {買ってあげる|かってあげる}.
- It implies you are doing a favor, so use it carefully to avoid sounding condescending.
- The subject is the giver, and the recipient is marked with に (or は).
Overview
Japanese communication is deeply influenced by social hierarchy, group distinctions, and a nuanced understanding of giving and receiving. The grammar pattern ～てあげる (te ageru), meaning "to perform an action for someone's benefit," embodies these cultural elements. While it appears to be a straightforward way to express performing a favor, its correct usage demands a sharp awareness of the relationship between the speaker, the person performing the action, and the recipient.
Misusing ～てあげる can inadvertently convey condescension or an inappropriate sense of superiority, even when your intention is to be helpful.
At its core, ～てあげる literally means "to give an action." This implies that the actor is bestowing a benefit upon the receiver. This inherent nuance can make it sound like a magnanimous gesture from a superior to an inferior, which is why it can be offensive if used carelessly with equals or superiors. However, ～てあげる is not inherently rude; it is an indispensable tool for describing beneficial actions between third parties, actions directed toward animals or inanimate objects, and expressing genuine affection or helpfulness within very close, informal relationships.
Mastering ～てあげる is crucial for navigating Japanese social interactions and expressing gratitude or assistance appropriately within diverse contexts, even at the elementary level.
How This Grammar Works
～てあげる functions to express that an action is performed by someone for the benefit of another, with the direction of the action consistently flowing away from the person performing it, and by extension, away from the speaker or the speaker's in-group. This fundamental concept of directional verbs is critical in Japanese. Unlike other giving/receiving verbs where the action moves towards the speaker or their in-group, ～てあげる signifies an outward flow of beneficence.あげる (ageru) independently means "to give" a physical object, as in 私は友達に本をあげる (I give a book to my friend). When affixed to the て-form of another verb, it extends this "giving" concept to encompass actions.は (wa) or が (ga). The recipient of this beneficial action (the beneficiary) is usually marked by the particle に (ni). For instance, 私は妹に日本語を教えてあげた (I taught Japanese to my little sister).私 is the subject, and 妹 is the beneficiary marked by に. However, a crucial exception exists: if the main verb is a transitive verb that already takes を (o) to mark the person being acted upon (e.g., 手伝う - to help, 呼ぶ - to call, 紹介する - to introduce), then the beneficiary will also be marked with を (o). Consider 私は友達を手伝ってあげた (I helped my friend).友達 (friend) is the direct object of 手伝う, indicating the person who directly receives the action of helping, thus marked with を.～てあげる, you implicitly adopt a position from which you are giving a favor. This is why it naturally fits a parent assisting a child, or someone caring for a pet.彼は友達の荷物を持ってあげた (He carried his friend's luggage for him) describes a third party performing a favor, highlighting the outward direction of the action.Formation Pattern
～てあげる is straightforward once you have mastered the て-form conjugation of Japanese verbs. The pattern involves attaching あげる (casual form) or あげます (polite form) directly to the て-form of the main verb. The choice between あげる and あげます solely depends on the desired level of politeness toward your listener, not toward the person receiving the favor. If you are speaking casually, use あげる. If you need to be polite, use あげます.
[Verb て-form] + あげる/あげます
[Giver] は/が [Receiver] に [Verb て-form] + あげる/あげます。
に because the verb's action is directed towards them for their benefit. For example: 母は私の弟に本を読んであげた。 (My mother read a book to my younger brother.)
[Giver] は/が [Receiver] を [Verb て-form] + あげる/あげます。
を to mark its direct object, and that direct object is the person receiving the benefit. For example: 私は友達を手伝ってあげた。 (I helped my friend.) Here, 手伝う (to help) directly takes 友達 (friend) as its object. Another example: 彼女を紹介してあげた。 (I introduced her (to someone)).
に or を is the beneficiary.
When To Use It
～てあげる is a widely used and grammatically essential construction in Japanese. Its appropriate application hinges entirely on understanding the social context and the relationship between the giver and the receiver. Here are the primary situations where ～てあげる is not only acceptable but entirely natural:- Describing Actions Between Third Parties (Safest Use): This is arguably the most common and lowest-risk application for learners. When you are describing a beneficial action performed by one person for another, where neither the giver nor the receiver is you (the speaker) or your listener,
～てあげるis perfectly neutral and simply descriptive. It states that one person performed a favor for another without carrying any personal implication for your interaction. - Example:
田中さんが鈴木さんに資料を送ってあげました。(Mr. Tanaka sent the documents for Ms. Suzuki.) - Example:
彼は彼女の引っ越しを手伝ってあげた。(He helped her move.) - Example:
友達が先生に質問してあげた。(My friend asked the teacher a question (for someone's benefit)).
- Actions for Animals, Plants, or Inanimate Objects: Since animals, plants, and objects lack social status and cannot feel obliged, using
～てあげるfor them carries no negative social implication. It merely indicates an action performed for their care or benefit. This is a very safe and common usage. - Example:
私は猫に餌を与えてあげる。(I feed the cat.) - Example:
庭の花に水をあげた。(I watered the flowers in the garden.) - Example:
古い服を捨ててあげる。(I'll throw away the old clothes (for cleanliness/order)).
- Actions for Young Children or Dependent Family Members: Within your own family, particularly for younger or dependent members like children, younger siblings, or even pets within the family,
～てあげるexpresses natural caregiving and assistance. The hierarchy is clearly established, making this usage appropriate and often endearing. It reflects a protective or nurturing role. - Example:
私は息子に靴を履かせてあげた。(I put shoes on my son.) - Example:
お兄さんが弟の宿題を見てあげた。(The older brother checked his younger brother's homework.)
- Actions for Very Close Friends or Intimate Partners (with Caution): In extremely close, casual relationships where there is no power imbalance, a deep level of intimacy, and a clear understanding of mutual support,
～てあげるcan be used. It conveys genuine willingness to help, affection, or a protective feeling without implying superiority. However, this is a highly nuanced area and requires significant cultural sensitivity. Learners should approach this use with caution, primarily reserving it for close, established relationships where both parties understand the context. It is typically used in casual speech and often involves scenarios where a friend is genuinely in need or has explicitly asked for help. - Example: (To a best friend struggling)
今日は私が奢ってあげるよ。(I'll treat you today.) - Example: (To a partner who is tired)
疲れているなら、肩を揉んであげるよ。(If you're tired, I'll massage your shoulders.)
- When an Inferior Explicitly Asks for a Favor (and the giver is of higher status/equal): If a person (typically a subordinate, child, or someone in need) explicitly asks for a favor, the person granting it (especially if they are an equal or superior) might use
～てあげるto affirm their intention to help. This confirms the request has been heard and will be acted upon. This is less about bestowing a favor unprompted and more about fulfilling an acknowledged need. This is a subtle point and for A2 learners, it's often safer to stick to simpler, polite expressions of willingness to help rather than risking the～てあげるnuance in new social contexts. - Example (Parent to child asking for help):
{わかった、やってあげるよ。}(Okay, I'll do it for you.)
Common Mistakes
～てあげる is one of the most common and impactful errors Japanese learners make, often leading to unintended rudeness or social awkwardness. These mistakes typically stem from a direct translation of "doing a favor" from English, without appreciating the deep cultural underpinnings of hierarchy and social debt in Japanese. Avoiding these pitfalls is crucial for effective and respectful communication.- Using it Towards Superiors or People of Higher Status: This is by far the most critical mistake. Using
～てあげるwhen addressing or referring to your teacher, boss, a senior colleague, or anyone significantly older or in a higher social position is almost universally inappropriate. It creates the impression that you believe you are doing them a great service, or that you are in a position to bestow kindness upon them, which directly reverses the social hierarchy and is perceived as highly patronizing or even arrogant. - Incorrect Example:
私が部長の荷物を持ってあげました。(I carried the section chief's luggage for him.) — This sounds incredibly condescending, implying you are doing your boss a great favor from a higher position. - Correct Alternative: Instead, use humble expressions or simply polite forms:
部長の荷物をお持ちしました。(I carried the section chief's luggage.) or部長、お持ちしましょうか？(Chief, shall I carry it?). For offering help, useお手伝いしましょうか？(May I humbly assist you?).
- Using it When the Action Benefits the Speaker: The core principle of
～てあげるis that the action moves away from the speaker. You cannot use it to describe someone doing something beneficial for you (the speaker) or your in-group. For such situations, you must use～てくれる(when someone gives to you) or～てもらう(when you receive from someone). - Incorrect Example:
彼が私に駅まで送ってあげた。(He drove me to the station.) — Grammatically, this implies he drove me as a favor from his perspective, which is not how you describe receiving a benefit. - Correct Alternative:
彼が私を駅まで送ってくれた。(He drove me to the station.) — Uses～てくれるbecause the action benefits the speaker.
- Overuse and Self-Importance: Even with equals or close friends, constant or casual overuse of
～てあげるcan make you sound self-important or as if you are continually tallying your good deeds. If an action is simply a routine courtesy, a basic part of a relationship, or something that benefits both parties equally, explicitly highlighting it as a "favor" with～てあげるcan feel out of place. - Consider: If you routinely make coffee for your housemate, simply stating
私がコーヒーを淹れたよ。(I made coffee.) is often more natural and less imposing than私がコーヒーを淹れてあげたよ。(I made coffee for you as a favor.). The context often makes the beneficial nature clear without needing the～てあげるnuance.
- Particle Errors (
をvs.に): As explained in the formation section, a common error is usingにfor the beneficiary when the main verb is transitive and should takeをfor the person being helped or acted upon. Always consider the transitivity of the base verb. - Incorrect Example:
彼に手伝ってあげた。 - Correct Example:
彼を手伝ってあげた。(I helped him.) —手伝う(to help) takesをfor the person being helped.
- Confusing
～てあげるwith～てやる: These are distinct and carry vastly different social weights.～てやるis an extremely informal, blunt, or even condescending version of～てあげる. It is generally reserved for speaking to animals, very young children, or in aggressive, rough, or extremely intimate contexts where formality is completely abandoned. Using～てやるwith an adult equal or superior would be considered highly offensive and rude. As an A2 learner, you should actively avoid using～てやるin any real-life conversation with adults.
Real Conversations
Observing how native speakers employ ～てあげる in authentic contexts helps solidify your understanding of its appropriate usage. Pay close attention to the relationship dynamics, formality levels, and the subtle cues that indicate why ～てあげる is chosen.
1. Describing help between third parties (Neutral and Descriptive):
- Aさん：「昨日、山田さんの仕事が大変そうだったね。」 (A: "Yesterday, Yamada-san seemed to be having a tough time with work, didn't he?")
- Bさん：「うん。だから佐藤さんが手伝ってあげたんだよ。さすがだね。」 (B: "Yeah. So Sato-san helped him out. How admirable!")
- Observation: Here, Speaker B is objectively reporting a beneficial action performed by Sato-san for Yamada-san. Neither speaker A nor B is directly involved as the giver or receiver, making ～てあげる the natural and neutral choice to describe the outward flow of help.
2. Parent to child (Expressing care and nurturing):
- お母さん：「寒いから、上着を着せてあげるね。」 (Mom: "It's cold, so I'll put your jacket on you, okay?")
- Observation: The mother is performing a protective and beneficial action for her child. The clear hierarchical relationship and the act of caregiving make this usage perfectly natural and conveys affection. It's a fundamental expression of a parent's role.
3. Close friends in a casual setting (Showing affection/willingness to help):
- A：「あー、財布忘れちゃった！」 (A: "Ah, I forgot my wallet!")
- B：「大丈夫だよ、今日は私が奢ってあげるから。」 (B: "It's okay, I'll treat you today.")
- Observation: Between very close friends, this conveys generosity and camaraderie. The implication isn't condescension but rather a warm, supportive gesture within an established equal relationship. This relies heavily on the existing deep bond; using it with a mere acquaintance might still feel slightly presumptuous or create a sense of obligation.
4. Discussing pet care (Neutral and Descriptive for non-humans):
- Aさん：「犬の散歩、もう行った？」 (A: "Have you already walked the dog?")
- Bさん：「うん、さっき行ってあげたよ。」 (B: "Yeah, I took him a little while ago.")
- Observation: Actions performed for pets are always safe contexts for ～てあげる. The grammar simply describes the beneficial act of taking the dog for a walk, as pets do not participate in human social hierarchies. This also extends to plants or taking care of objects.
Quick FAQ
- Q: Can I use
～てあげるwith my Japanese teacher or boss? - A: Generally, no. This is one of the most common and significant mistakes. Using
～てあげるto a superior implies that you are doing them a favor from a position of generosity or higher status, which is highly inappropriate in Japanese culture. Instead, use humble expressions likeお手伝いしましょうか？(May I humbly assist you?) or simply polite verbs:持ちましょうか？(Shall I carry it?). For superiors, always err on the side of humility.
- Q: What is the difference between
～てあげるand～てさしあげる? - A:
～てさしあげるis the humble form (謙譲語 -kenjōgo) of～てあげる, specifically used when you (or your in-group) perform a beneficial action for a superior (out-group). While it is grammatically designed for politeness and respect, it is still very tricky. Even with～てさしあげる, the fundamental implication of "bestowing a favor" remains. It can still sound patronizing if misused or if the relationship doesn't truly warrant such an overt declaration of benevolence. As an A2 learner, it is generally safer to avoid both～てあげるand～てさしあげるfor superiors. Opt for indirect suggestions or humble requests for permission to help instead.
- Q: When should I use
～てくれるor～てもらうinstead of～てあげる? - A: These are the other two critical components of the giving/receiving verb system, and their usage depends entirely on the direction of the action relative to the speaker. This table provides a clear comparison:
～てあげる | Speaker/In-group does for Out-group/Equal/Inferior | Action moves away from giver | "I do this for you (as a favor/gift)" | 私は友達に日本語を教えてあげた。 (I taught Japanese to my friend.) |～てくれる | Someone (Out-group/Equal/Superior) does for Speaker/In-group | Action moves towards speaker | "Someone does this for me/us (beneficial action that directly affects me/us)" | 友達が私に日本語を教えてくれた。 (My friend taught Japanese to me.) |～てもらう | Speaker receives favor from Someone | Action moves towards speaker (speaker is subject) | "I had someone do this for me (implies speaker arranged or requested, and received the benefit)" | 私は友達に日本語を教えてもらった。 (I had my friend teach Japanese to me.) |- Q: Is it always rude to use
～てあげるwith "you" (あなた-anata)? - A: Not always, but it's risky and often unnatural. In very intimate relationships,
～てあげるcombined withあなたcould theoretically show affection or a protective stance. However,あなたitself is rarely used in natural Japanese conversation, especially between equals, as it can sound distant or even confrontational. If you're referring to a friend, using their name or simply omitting the subject is far more common and safer thanあなたwith～てあげる. With strangers or even acquaintances, it very strongly maintains its condescending nuance.
- Q: What if I simply want to state that I performed an action for someone, without the implication of a favor or hierarchy?
- A: Often, the simple past tense (
～ましたor～た) is sufficient and far more neutral. For instance, if you translated a document for a colleague, saying翻訳しました。(I translated it.) is typically much better than翻訳してあげました。(I translated it for you as a favor.). The context will usually make it clear that the action was for their benefit without needing the added, potentially awkward nuance of～てあげる. Keep your language as direct and neutral as possible when the "favor" nuance is not intended.
- Q: I hear
～てやるin anime and manga. What's its role? - A:
～てやるis an extremely informal, rough, or even aggressive variant of～てあげる. It implies a strong sense of superiority, contempt, or intense intimacy devoid of politeness. It is almost exclusively used with animals, very young children, or by men in extremely casual, aggressive, or confrontational contexts in media. You should actively avoid using～てやるwith adults in real-life conversation unless you are intentionally trying to be rude, or you are in a specific, highly intimate and crude context (which A2 learners should strongly steer clear of). For example,飯を食わせてやる(I'll feed you, often said to an animal or condescendingly to a person) stands in stark contrast toご飯を食べさせてあげる(I'll feed you, polite/neutral for an animal, or for a child).
Conjugation of ～てあげる
| Form | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
～てあげます
|
Will do (polite)
|
|
Negative
|
～てあげません
|
Will not do (polite)
|
|
Past
|
～てあげました
|
Did (polite)
|
|
Casual
|
～てあげる
|
Will do (casual)
|
|
Casual Past
|
～てあげた
|
Did (casual)
|
|
Te-form
|
～てあげて
|
Do (request)
|
Meanings
Indicates that the speaker or subject performed an action for the benefit of another person.
Doing a favor
Performing an action for someone else's benefit.
“{弟|おとうと}に{本|ほん}を{買|か}ってあげた。”
“{母|はは}に{料理|りょうり}を{作|つく}ってあげました。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb(te) + あげる
|
{買|か}ってあげる
|
|
Negative
|
Verb(te) + あげない
|
{買|か}ってあげない
|
|
Past
|
Verb(te) + あげた
|
{買|か}ってあげた
|
|
Polite
|
Verb(te) + あげます
|
{買|か}ってあげます
|
|
Question
|
Verb(te) + あげる？
|
{買|か}ってあげる？
|
|
Request
|
Verb(te) + あげて
|
{買|か}ってあげて
|
Formality Spectrum
{お手伝|おてつだ}いさせていただきます。 (Offering help)
{手伝|てつだ}ってあげます。 (Offering help)
{手伝|てつだ}ってあげるよ。 (Offering help)
{手伝|てつだ}ってやるよ。 (Offering help)
Benefactive Giving
Giver
- 私 I
Recipient
- 友達 Friend
Action
- 手伝う Help
Examples by Level
{友達|ともだち}に{写真|しゃしん}を{送|おく}ってあげます。
I will send the photo to my friend.
{猫|ねこ}に{餌|えさ}を{食|た}べさせてあげた。
I fed the cat.
{妹|いもうと}に{傘|かさ}を{貸|か}してあげました。
I lent my umbrella to my younger sister.
{彼|かれ}に{日本語|にほんご}を{教|おし}えてあげます。
I will teach him Japanese.
{重|おも}い{荷物|にもつ}を{持|も}ってあげましょうか？
Shall I carry that heavy luggage for you?
{母|はは}に{手紙|てがみ}を{書|か}いてあげました。
I wrote a letter for my mother.
{駅|えき}まで{送|おく}ってあげたよ。
I drove/walked you to the station.
{子供|こども}に{本|ほん}を{読|よ}んであげます。
I will read a book to the child.
{困|こま}っている{人|ひと}を{助|たす}けてあげたいです。
I want to help people who are in trouble.
{彼|かれ}が{迷|まよ}っていたので、{案内|あんない}してあげました。
He was lost, so I guided him.
{忙|いそが}しい{夫|おっと}のために{掃除|そうじ}をしてあげた。
I cleaned for my busy husband.
{新|あたら}しい{服|ふく}を{選|えら}んであげようか？
Shall I help you pick out new clothes?
{彼|かれ}の{失敗|しっぱい}を{カバー}してあげたのに、{感謝|かんしゃ}もなかった。
I covered for his mistake, but he didn't even thank me.
{友人|ゆうじん}の{引|ひ}っ{越|こ}しを{手伝|てつだ}ってあげた。
I helped my friend move house.
{彼女|かのじょ}が{泣|な}いていたので、{話|はなし}を{聞|き}いてあげた。
She was crying, so I listened to her.
{後輩|こうはい}に{仕事|しごと}のコツを{教|おし}えてあげた。
I taught the junior colleague some work tips.
{誰|だれ}も{彼|かれ}を{信|しん}じない{中|なか}で、{私|わたし}だけは{信|しん}じてあげた。
When no one believed him, I was the only one who believed in him.
{彼|かれ}の{孤独|こどく}を{癒|い}してあげられるのは{私|わたし}だけだ。
I am the only one who can heal his loneliness.
{長年|ながねん}の{苦労|くろう}を{労|ねぎ}らってあげたい。
I want to reward/acknowledge his years of hard work.
{彼女|かのじょ}の{決断|けつだん}を{尊重|そんちょう}してあげよう。
Let's respect her decision.
{彼|かれ}の{不器用|ぶきよう}な{愛|あい}を{受|う}け{止|と}めてあげることが、{私|わたし}の{役目|やくめ}だ。
It is my role to accept his clumsy love.
{時代|じだい}の{変化|へんか}に{適応|てきおう}できない{彼|かれ}を、{優|やさ}しく{見守|みまも}ってあげてほしい。
I want you to gently watch over him as he struggles to adapt to the changing times.
{彼女|かのじょ}の{才能|さいのう}を{開花|かいか}させてあげたのは、{彼|かれ}の{指導|しどう}のおかげだ。
It was thanks to his guidance that her talent was able to bloom.
{歴史|れきし}の{重|おも}みを{次|つぎ}の{世代|せだい}に{伝|つた}えてあげなければならない。
We must pass on the weight of history to the next generation.
Easily Confused
Both involve giving, but direction differs.
Both involve favors.
Both mean 'do for'.
Common Mistakes
教えるあげる
教えてあげる
先生に教えてあげた
先生に教えていただきました
私に買ってあげた
私に買ってくれた
買ってあげますか？
買ってあげましょうか？
彼が私に買ってあげた
彼が私に買ってくれた
手伝うあげます
手伝ってあげます
母に料理を作ってあげました
母に料理を作ってあげました
部長に報告してあげた
部長に報告いたしました
彼が私にプレゼントをあげた
彼が私にプレゼントをくれた
誰に買ってあげたの？
誰に買ってあげたの？
お客様に説明してあげました
お客様に説明させていただきました
彼が私に教えてあげた
彼が私に教えてくれた
先生に宿題を直してあげた
先生に宿題を直していただいた
Sentence Patterns
私は___を___てあげます。
___に___てあげましょうか？
___のために___てあげました。
___を___てあげることが大切です。
Real World Usage
今から行くね！
写真送ってあげる！
N/A
道教えてあげますよ。
届けてあげます。
宿題手伝ってあげる。
Watch the status
Don't be rude
Use te-form
Reciprocity
Smart Tips
Use the volitional form '～ましょうか' with '～てあげる'.
Avoid '～てあげる' entirely.
Switch to '～てくれる'.
Use '～てくれる' or '～てもらう'.
Pronunciation
Te-form
Ensure the 'te' is crisp.
Rising
～てあげる？
Question/Offer
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Ageru' as 'A-Gear'—you are giving someone a gear to help them move forward.
Visual Association
Imagine yourself handing a gift to a friend. You are reaching out (te-form) and giving (ageru).
Rhyme
When you do a favor, don't be a bore, add 'te-ageru' to the verb core.
Story
Yesterday, my friend was lost. I saw him looking at a map. I walked up and said, 'I will guide you!' ({案内|あんない}してあげる). He smiled and felt relieved.
Word Web
Challenge
Today, find one thing you can do for a friend and say it out loud using ～てあげる.
Cultural Notes
The concept of 'on' (debt) makes giving/receiving verbs vital.
Derived from the verb {上|あ}げる (to raise/give).
Conversation Starters
What can you do for your friend?
Have you ever helped a stranger?
Is it okay to use ～てあげる with a boss?
How does ～てあげる change the tone of a story?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
私は友達に本を___。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
彼が私に買ってあげた。
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I will send the photo to you.
Answer starts with: a...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: 荷物が重いね。 B: ___
Use '教える' and 'あげる'.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises私は友達に本を___。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
彼が私に買ってあげた。
あげた / 友達 / 宿題 / 手伝って
I will send the photo to you.
Match the verb.
A: 荷物が重いね。 B: ___
Use '教える' and 'あげる'.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercises妹に新しい服を（ ）。
犬に散歩を（ ）あげる。
先生、私が窓を閉めてあげますよ。
田中さんは私にコーヒーを買ってあげました。
Translate: I lent my friend an umbrella.
Translate: I will take a photo for you.
I'll carry your luggage (for you). [Casual to a close friend]
Ken repaired the bicycle for Yumi.
Select the appropriate context.
Your friend says: お金がない… (I have no money...)
Match the verb to its proper usage.
Who receives which phrase?
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, it sounds condescending. Use humble language instead.
Ageru is giving to others; Kureru is receiving from others.
No, it depends on the status of the recipient.
Take the te-form and add ageru.
No, you don't do favors for yourself.
Yes, very common among friends.
Use 'sashiageru' or humble forms.
Yes, 'te-agemashita' or 'te-ageta'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
hacer un favor
Japanese uses a grammatical suffix; Spanish uses a phrase.
rendre service
Japanese integrates the favor into the verb itself.
einen Gefallen tun
Japanese uses a suffix; German uses a separate verb.
يقدم معروف
Japanese is highly compact.
帮...做...
Japanese is a suffix.
～てあげる
None.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
Related Grammar Rules
Japanese Giving Verb: I give to you (あげる)
Overview Japanese verbs of giving and receiving represent one of the most intricate areas for learners, deeply intertwin...
Kureru: When Someone Gives to YOU
Overview Japanese verbs of giving and receiving, specifically `{あげる|ageru}`, `{くれる|kureru}`, and `{もらう|morau}`,...
Receiving Things with Gratitude (もらう)
Overview Japanese grammar profoundly reflects interpersonal relationships and social hierarchy. The verb `もらう` ({貰|...
Japanese ~te morau: Having someone do something for you
Overview In Japanese, expressing that an action was performed by someone else **for your benefit** fundamentally relies...
Receiving from People vs. Places (Ni vs. Kara)
Overview Ever felt like your Japanese sentences are a bit "stiff" when you're talking about that birthday gift or a DM y...
