～てやる
Just wait and see, Just you wait, To do a favor, For you, Definitely, For sure
Structure
Explanation
The う-Verb やる, which can be written with the kanji 遣る, typically means ‘to do’. It can also function as the informal equivalent of あげる, meaning ‘to give’. When connected to the て-form of a verb, it serves as a subsidiary verb. When used in place of あげる, it often creates a condescending nuance, implying that the speaker is performing an action for someone of a lower status who is incapable of doing it themselves. In this context, it is translated as ‘to do for’.
- ほら、難しいんだろ？ 兄ちゃんが教えてやるから、こっちに来なさい。See, it's hard, isn't it? I'll explain it for you, so get over here.
- 今日は先輩が全部払ってやるから、遠慮しないで飲めよ。I'm paying for you tonight, so don't hold back and have a drink.
In a different usage, やる has a meaning closer to 見せる (‘to show’), conveying the speaker’s strong determination to carry out an action. For this meaning, it can be translated as ‘I will (A), just you watch’ or ‘I’ll definitely (A)’.
- 次の試合では、必ず優勝してやる！I'm going to win the next tournament, just you wait!
- もう後には引けない。なんとしてでも成功させてやる。There's no turning back now. I swear I'm going to make this succeed!
Regardless of whether it replaces あげる or conveys determination like みせる, the fundamental meaning of やる is still ‘to do’. It highlights that the speaker has control over the action's outcome, often due to a perceived sense of superiority.
Examples
負けた悪役：「今に見てろ！絶対にこうかいさせてやる！」
The defeated villain: 'You'll see! I'll definitely make you regret this!'
オーディションに落ちた：「いつか絶対、大物スターになってやる！」
After failing an audition: 'One day I'll definitely become a big star, just you watch!'
「この難しいパズル、絶対にといてやるぞ！」
'I am going to solve this difficult puzzle, no matter what!'
同僚にアイデアを盗まれて：「あいつがやったこと、みんなにばらしてやる！」
After a coworker stole their idea: 'I'm going to tell everyone what they did, just you wait!'
後輩：「すみません、このやり方が分からなくて…」
先輩：「しょうがないな。よし、おしえてやる。」
Junior employee: 'Excuse me, I don't understand how to do this...'
Senior employee: 'You're hopeless. Alright, I'll show you how.'
「コンティニューして、今度こそあいつをたおしてやる！」
'I'm using a continue! This time I'll definitely beat him!'
ホラー映画の幽霊：「おまえもこっちの世界にひきずりこんでやる…」
A ghost in a horror movie: 'I'm going to drag you down into this world with me...'
重そうな荷物を持っている友人に：「貸してみろ、おれがもってやる。」
To a friend carrying heavy bags: 'Gimme those, I'll carry them for you.'
「必ず捕まえて、おまえの罪をつぐなわせてやる！」
'I will catch you and make you pay for your crimes, I swear it!'
マンガの主人公がラスボスに：「おまえだけは、この手でじごくにおくってやる！」
A manga protagonist to the final boss: 'You, and you alone, I will send to hell with my own two hands!'