てあげる — Do something (as a favor) for someone
The 'giving outward' favor verb. In Japanese you don't just say 'I helped him' — you mark the direction of the favor. あげる shows the benefit flows AWAY from the speaker (or in-group) toward the receiver.
Structure
[Verb te-form] + あげる
Examples
友達に荷物を運んであげた。
Tomodachi ni nimotsu o hakonde ageta.
I carried the luggage for my friend.
運んで (carry) + あげた (did it as a favor, directed outward)
妹に数学を教えてあげた。
Imouto ni suugaku o oshiete ageta.
I taught my little sister math (for her benefit).
favor directed to family/junior
何か手伝ってあげましょうか？
Nanika tetsudatte agemashou ka?
Shall I help you with something?
offering a favor (mind status — see note)
• Condescension trap: don't use てあげる for a favor to a superior (boss, teacher, stranger) — it can sound like you're graciously bestowing a favor. Use the plain polite verb (お手伝いします) or 〜(さ)せていただく instead. • Target particle: the recipient of the favor is marked with に. • Can describe a favor between two third parties when the speaker is just an observer.
Commonly confused with
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones てあげる is tested against.
vs てくれる
てあげる = I/we do a favor for someone else (benefit flows outward). てくれる = someone does a favor FOR me/my in-group (benefit flows toward the speaker).
vs てもらう
てもらう means I RECEIVE a favor (I have someone do something for me, often at my request). てあげる means I GIVE the favor; the giver is the grammatical subject.
More giving & receiving
Study Japanese grammar on LenGaki
Everything on this page, free to browse
- 7,788 JLPT vocabulary words, N5 through N1, with readings and audio
- 2,057 kanji with on'yomi, kun'yomi and stroke-order practice
- 444 grammar points with examples and commonly-confused comparisons
- Full-length N5 and N4 mock exams, timed, with real listening audio
Get the Android app