Skip to content
JLPT N4Giving & Receiving

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.

Grammar path · 練習

Practice this in the path

A short lesson: the pattern, its sentence anatomy, a quick quiz and a sentence to build.

Pro lessonUNIT 66 · GIVING & RECEIVING

Structure · 形

[Verb te-form] + あげる

Examples · 例文

  • 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)

Usage notes · 注意

  • 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, ready to study

  • 7,788 JLPT vocabulary words, N5 through N1, with readings and audio (N5 free)
  • 2,057 kanji with on'yomi, kun'yomi and stroke-order practice
  • 445 grammar points with examples and commonly-confused comparisons
  • Full-length N5 and N4 mock exams, timed, with real listening audio (N5 sets 1 and 2 free)