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N4

てあげる

To do something for someone, As a favor for

父ちちが妹いもうとにお菓子かしを買かってあげる。

My father buys snacks for my sister.

Explanation

「〜てあげる」 means 'do something for someone'. You (or your side) do something that benefits another person: 「友達に本を貸してあげた」 (I lent a book to my friend). Because 「あげる」 feels like granting a favour, you cannot say it straight to an elder or a superior.

Mixed up with

To an elder, do not say 「車で送ってあげます」; it sounds condescending. Say 「車でお送りしましょうか」.

The three differ in viewpoint: 「〜てあげる」 is from the giver's side; 「〜てくれる」 is from the receiver's side (someone does it for me); 「〜てもらう」 is that I ask for it or receive it.

Examples

  1. いいよ、俺おれがやってあげるよ。

    It's okay, I'll do it for you.

  2. 明日あしたは私わたしが送おくってあげるよ。

    I'll give you a ride tomorrow.

  3. 母ははに花はなを買かってあげた。

    I bought flowers for my mother.

Tested 2 times in past papers

N3 · Dec 2024, Q47N3 · Jul 2013, Q58