Giving is one of the most common human interactions—and in Japanese, it comes with nuance! One way to say “to give” is with the verb あげる. This verb shows that something is given away from the speaker or someone close to them, toward someone else. In this post, we’ll look at how to use あげる to talk about giving in Japanese.
あげる
To Give (Outward)
JLPT Level: N4
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How to Use It
Use あげる when the speaker or someone close to the speaker gives something to someone outside their inner circle. For example, when you give a gift to a friend, or your parents give something to someone not in your family, you use あげる.
This verb carries a sense of doing someone a favor. It’s used when the direction of the action is outward—from you (or your inner circle) to someone else.
Usage Pattern
[Giver] は / が + [Receiver] に + [Object] を + あげる
Example 1
私は猫にお水をあげました。
わたし は ねこ に おみず を あげました。
Watashi wa neko ni omizu o agemashita.
I gave water to the cat.
Example 2
先生にお土産をあげました。
せんせい に おみやげ を あげました。
Sensei ni omiyage o agemashita.
I gave the teacher a souvenir.
Example 3
両親は友だちにプレゼントをあげました。
りょうしん は ともだち に ぷれぜんと を あげました。
Ryōshin wa tomodachi ni purezento o agemashita.
My parents gave a present to my friend.
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