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あげる

give (to someone else)

Giver は/が + receiver に + thing を + あげる

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Japanese has three verbs for giving, chosen by direction. あげる is giving away from you, or between other people: 友達に本をあげました, "I gave my friend a book".

The giver is the subject; the receiver takes に; the thing takes を.

It never points towards you. When someone gives something to you or someone on your side (family, your team), the verb is くれる, the next point.

For animals and plants, the traditional word is やる (猫にえさをやる), though many people now say あげる to pets too.

To superiors, あげる can sound like a favour. Politely you'd say さしあげる, or avoid the giving verb altogether: お土産です, "here's a souvenir".

Register: やる is used for animals and plants, and casually to younger family.

Examples

  • 友達ともだちに誕生日たんじょうびのプレゼントをあげました。

    I gave my friend a birthday present.

  • 田中たなかさんは山田やまださんに花はなをあげました。

    Mr Tanaka gave Ms Yamada some flowers.

  • 毎朝まいあさ、猫ねこにえさをやります。

    I feed the cat every morning.

  • 弟おとうとにゲームをあげるつもりです。

    I'm going to give my little brother a game.

  • このチョコ、一ひとつあげるよ。

    Here, have one of these chocolates.

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