Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 7: 1/18

～てあげるTo do something for someone, As a favor for

Might sound patronizing and can be rude especially if used with elderly people!

Structure

Verb［て］+ あげる

Details

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About てあげる

When joining the conjunction particle て, with the る-Verbあげる (to give), it implies that someone is doing something for the benefit of someone else. Literally, this expression means 'to give/bestow the action of (A) upon (B)', but translates more naturally as 'to do (A) for (B)', or 'to do (A) as a favor for (B)'.

The receiver of the てあげる action will be marked with に, while the doer will be marked with が (if mentioned).

Caution

Unfortunately, てあげる can sound quite patronizing in modern Japanese, and should be avoided in situations where someone may take offence to having something done for them (for example, doing something for someone of higher status). This is primarily due to やる (a casual variation of 'to give') being phased out.

Fun Fact

Originally, やる was used when referring to giving water to plants, or feeding animals. However, some people started using あげる for these purposes as well, believing that it sounded 'nicer'. Historically, this actually achieved the opposite result, and some people began to think that あげる was insulting, as it was being used for plants/animals.

These days, てやる is almost never used, unless you have a very close relationship with someone and are using it jokingly.

Related

Examples

--:--

    母(はは)に花(はな)を買(か)ってあげた。

    I bought flowers (as a favor) for my mother.

    あそこのおばあさんを手伝(てつだ)ってあげましょうか。

    Shall we give assistance to (as a favor for) that lady?

    このプレゼントをお父(とう)さんに渡(わた)してあげてください。

    Please hand over this present to your dad. (Give to)

    ユカに消(け)しゴムを貸(か)してあげてください。

    Please lend your eraser to Yuka. (For Yuka)

    寂(さび)しそうにしているから、ハグしてあげましょう。

    Because they look lonely let's give them a hug. (For them)

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