N5Grammar

あげる

To give (away), To present, To provide

Structure

Giver^(*)は⁽¹⁾ + Recipient^(*)に + Object^(*)をあげる

Recipient^(*)に + Giver^(*)は⁽¹⁾ + Object^(*)をあげる

Giver^(*)は⁽¹⁾ + Object^(*)を + Recipient^(*)にあげる

^(*) Giver, Recipent and Object are Nouns
⁽¹⁾ が

Explanation

あげる is a highly versatile Japanese verb. While its literal meaning is 'to raise', it is most commonly used as a polite speech term for 'to give'. This usage can be compared to the English expression 'to present something to someone'. Just as with standard Japanese grammar, the giver is identified by the particle は or が, and the recipient is marked with に. The item being given is, of course, marked by the particle を.

田中さんがマリアさんに本をあげる。
Ms. Tanaka will give Maria a book.
マリアさんに田中さんが本をあげる。
Ms. Tanaka will give Maria a book.
田中さんが本をマリアさんにあげる。
Ms. Tanaka will give Maria a book.

As illustrated by these examples, the word order of the 'giver', 'recipient', and 'object' is flexible, as long as each element is paired with its correct particle.

Caution

You should avoid using あげる when the recipient is of a higher social status than you, or when you wish to speak humbly about your own actions. In such cases, honorific language and humble speech require the use of different, specific verbs.

Fun Fact

Even though あげる is considered polite speech, it is the most common and natural verb for 'to give' in daily conversation. The word やる is the 'casual' form of あげる, but its somewhat blunt and rough connotation has led to あげる becoming the default choice.

この漫画(まんが)をお前(まえ)にやるよ。
I'm giving you this manga. (It's all yours now.)
この漫画(まんが)をお前(まえ)にあげるよ。
I'll give you this manga.

Examples

その帽子(ぼうし)をあげます。

I will give you that hat. (away)

私(わたし)は姉(あね)に本(ほん)をあげた。

I gave my older sister a book. (away)

パソコンのパスワードをあげます。

I will give you the password for the computer. (away)

チケットをあげるので来(き)てね。

Since I will give you a ticket, please come. (away)

彼女(かのじょ)に花束(はなたば)をあげましょう。

Let's give her a bouquet of flowers! (away)

一番(いちばん)綺麗(きれい)な絵葉書(えはがき)をあげる。

I will give you the prettiest postcard. (away)

彼女(かのじょ)は猫(ねこ)が好(す)きだから、誕生日(たんじょうび)に猫(ねこ)グッズをあげる。

Since she likes cats, I will give her some cat-themed merchandise for her birthday. (away)

君(きみ)がテストに合格(ごうかく)したから新(あたら)しいゲームをあげる。

Since you passed the test, I will give you a new game. (away)

私(わたし)は父(ちち)に毎年(まいとし)ネクタイをあげる。

I give my dad a necktie every year. (away)

お金(かね)をあげるからジュースを買(か)ってきてください。

I will give you some money, so please go buy some juice. (away)

焼(や)いたクッキーをあげます。

I will give (you) the cookies I baked. (away)

時々(ときどき)犬(いぬ)におやつをあげている。

I give my dog a treat every once in a while. (away)