Unit 3 - Section 1: あげる・もらう・くれる

Practice Quiz

あげる/やる - Giving (To Give)

Learn to express the act of giving using あげる and やる. These are essential verbs for describing exchanges and relationships in Japanese.

Basic Patterns

Pattern: [Person] に [Thing] を あげる

あげる = to give (from speaker to someone else)

友達ともだちに本ほんをあげました。
[Tomodachi ni hon wo agemashita]
Translation: I gave a book to my friend.
Casual variant: やる

Used for giving to animals, plants, or close friends in casual speech

  • 犬に食べ物をやった。 - "I gave food to the dog."
  • 水を植物にやる。 - "I water the plants." (literally: give water)

Conjugation of あげる

Form Example Translation
Dictionary あげる to give
ます-form あげます give (polite)
Past あげました gave
て-form あげて gave (connects)
Negative あげません don't give

Related Giving Patterns

Giving WITH an Action:

Pattern: [Verb て-form] + あげる = "do something for someone"

  • 手伝ってあげる。 - "I'll help you." (literally: give help)
  • 教えてあげます。 - "I'll teach you."
  • 説明してあげよう。 - "Let me explain for you."

Example Sentences

誕生日たんじょうびに彼女かのじょにプレゼントをあげました。
[Tanjoubi ni kanojo ni purezento wo agemashita]
Translation: I gave a present to my girlfriend on her birthday.
友達ともだちに駅えきまで乗のせていってあげた。
[Tomodachi ni eki made nose tte itte ageta]
Translation: I gave my friend a ride to the station.

Study Tips

Master あげる:
  • Basic meaning: from speaker's perspective giving to others
  • Particle に: Always use に for the recipient
  • Action verb: ～てあげる = do something FOR someone (generous connotation)
  • やる: More casual, for animals/plants or close friends
  • Practice: List things you've given to others this week
Course Navigation
Study Tips
  • Read each example carefully
  • Practice pronunciation aloud
  • Create your own sentences to reinforce memory
  • Finish the section quiz