あげる

あげる means "to give" and is used when the speaker (or someone in the speaker's in-group) gives something to another person. It can also describe one third party giving to another third party.

The basic pattern is:

Giver は/が + Receiver に + Object を + あげる

Directionality – あげる vs. くれる

A key distinction in Japanese is who is giving to whom:

• あげる is used when the speaker gives to someone else, or when describing giving between third parties.
• くれる is used when someone else gives to the speaker (or the speaker's in-group).

Compare: 田中さんは私に本をくれた。 (Tanaka-san gave me a book.)

Because of this directionality, あげる should not be used when someone gives something to the speaker. Using あげる in that situation is a common mistake for learners.

Politeness note

When giving to a social superior (a teacher, boss, etc.), the more respectful form さしあげる差し上げる (さしあげる) is often preferred over あげる in formal speech.

Animals and plants

あげる is also common when giving food or water to animals or plants.