〜てあげる — Japanese Grammar
〜てあげる: JLPT N4 grammar pattern. Usage, structure, examples, and comparison with similar patterns.
〜てあげる
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Pattern | 〜てあげる |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Type | giving |
| Formality | Neutral to Casual |
| Register | Spoken |
Meaning
The pattern 〜てあげる (~te ageru) expresses that the speaker or a third party performs an action for the benefit of someone else. It conveys the nuance of "doing a favor for someone" or "doing something for someone's sake."
Structure Formula
[Verb て-form] + あげる
- Verb て-form: The main verb must be in the te-form (e.g., 買って (katte), 教えて (oshiete)).
- あげる: This is the verb "to give." It conjugates like a standard group 1 verb (e.g., あげます (agemasu), あげた (ageta)).
Detailed Explanation
The 〜てあげる pattern is part of the Japanese "giving and receiving" verb system. It is used when you perform an action that benefits another person. Because it literally means "to give an action," it carries a strong nuance of benevolence or effort on the part of the giver.
Because of this nuance, use caution when speaking to superiors. Saying "I did X for you" (〜てあげました) can sound condescending, as if you are implying that the recipient is indebted to you or that your action was a special favor. It is most appropriate when speaking to friends, family, or people younger/lower in status than yourself.
When the recipient is a superior, you should avoid this pattern entirely. Instead, use humble language (kenjougo) or simply state the verb without the "giving" nuance. If you want to be more polite, you can use 〜てさしあげる (te sashiageru), which is the humble version of this pattern.
Example Sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 友達に本を貸してあげた。 | 友(とも)達(だち)に本(ほん)を貸(か)してあげた。 | Tomodachi ni hon o kashite ageta. | I lent a book to my friend. |
| 弟の宿題を手伝ってあげました。 | 弟(おとうと)の宿題(しゅくだい)を手伝(てつだ)ってあげました。 | Otouto no shukudai o tetsudatte agemashita. | I helped my younger brother with his homework. |
| 母に花を買ってあげようと思う。 | 母(はは)に花(はな)を買(か)ってあげようと思(おも)う。 | Haha ni hana o katte ageyou to omou. | I think I will buy flowers for my mother. |
| 迷子の子に道を教えてあげた。 | 迷子(まいご)の子(こ)に道(みち)を教(おし)えてあげた。 | Maigo no ko ni michi o oshiete ageta. | I showed the lost child the way. |
| 彼女にケーキを作ってあげた。 | 彼(かの)女(じょ)にケーキを作(つく)ってあげた。 | Kanojo ni keeki o tsukutte ageta. | I baked a cake for my girlfriend. |
| 犬を散歩に連れて行ってあげた。 | 犬(いぬ)を散歩(さんぽ)に連(つ)れて行(い)ってあげた。 | Inu o sanpo ni tsurete itte ageta. | I took the dog for a walk (for its benefit). |
| 日本語を教えてあげましょうか。 | 日本語(にほんご)を教(おし)えてあげましょうか。 | Nihongo o oshiete agemashou ka. | Shall I teach you Japanese? |
| 困っている人を助けてあげたい。 | 困(こま)っている人(ひと)を助(たす)けてあげたい。 | Komatte iru hito o tasukete agetai. | I want to help people who are in trouble. |
Comparison with Similar Patterns
〜てあげる vs 〜てくれる vs 〜てもらう
| Pattern | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| 〜てあげる | I/someone do(es) for them | I am doing a favor for you/them. |
| 〜てくれる | They do for me/us | Someone did a favor for me. |
| 〜てもらう | I have them do for me | I received the favor of someone doing X. |
- 〜てあげる: Focuses on the giver's action.
- 〜てくれる: Focuses on the receiver's gratitude for the giver's action.
- 〜てもらう: Focuses on the receiver's perspective of having requested or benefited from the action.
Common Mistakes
❌ 先生に宿題を教えてあげました。 → ✓ 先生に宿題を教えていただきました。
- Why: Using 〜てあげる to a teacher sounds arrogant, as if you are doing the teacher a favor. Use the humble form 〜ていただく when receiving an action from a superior.
❌ 友達が私に本を買ってあげた。 → ✓ 友達が私に本を買ってくれた。
- Why: If the action is directed toward you, you must use 〜てくれる, not 〜てあげる.
❌ 彼に手伝ってあげてください。 → ✓ 彼を手伝ってあげてください。
- Why: The particle after the person receiving the favor should be に (ni) or を (o) depending on the verb, but ensure the target is clear.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank (use 〜てあげる or the correct form):
- 妹が泣いているので、お菓子を____。(I gave my little sister some candy because she was crying.)
- 疲れている友達に、コーヒーを____。(I bought coffee for my tired friend.)
- 祖母の荷物を持って____。(I carried my grandmother's luggage.)
- 迷っている外国人に駅までの道を____。(I showed the way to the station to the lost foreigner.)
- 忙しいお母さんの代わりに、皿を洗って____。(I washed the dishes for my busy mother.)
Answer Key:
- 買ってあげた (katte ageta)
- 買ってあげた (katte ageta)
- あげてあげた (agete ageta) / 持ってあげた (motte ageta)
- 教えてあげた (oshiete ageta)
- あげてあげた (agete ageta) / 洗ってあげた (aratte ageta)
JLPT Level Notes
In the JLPT N4, this pattern is frequently tested in the "Grammar/Sentence Composition" section. Pay close attention to the particles (に vs を). Remember: the person receiving the favor is marked with に. If the test asks you to choose between 〜てあげる, 〜てくれる, and 〜てもらう, look at the subject of the sentence to determine who is performing the action and who is benefiting.