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to do something for someone
Definition
The grammar pattern ～てあげる is used to express the act of doing something for someone, focusing on the giver's perspective and intention to help. It is often used when the speaker or someone close to them performs a favor for someone of equal or lower social status. However, it is essential to be cautious when using it directly to someone of higher status, as it can sound slightly patronizing. This pattern is a combination of the polite form of the verb and the auxiliary verb あげる, which means 'to give' or 'to do something for someone'.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Te-form of the verb | Verb te-form + あげる | 食事を手伝ってあげる (to help with the meal) |
| Polite form of the verb | Polite verb form + て + あげる | お手伝いしてあげる (to help) |
| Te-form of the verb with ni | Verb te-form + に + あげる | 友達に宿題を手伝ってあげる (to help a friend with their homework) |
Examples
友達の宿題を手伝ってあげる
Tomodachi no shukudai o te domo te ageru
I'll help my friend with their homework
友達 (friend), の (possessive particle), 宿題 (homework), を (object marker), 手伝って (help), あげる (to do something for someone)
重そうな荷物ですね。持ってあげましょうか。
Omousa na nimotsu desu ne. Motte agemashou ka.
That's a heavy luggage. Shall I carry it for you?
重そうな (heavy), 荷物 (luggage), で (topic marker), すね (sentence ending), 持って (carry), あげましょう (let's do something for someone), か (question marker)
田中さんが私に辞書を貸してあげた。
Tanaka-san ga watashi ni jisho o kashi te ageta.
Tanaka-san lent me a dictionary.
田中さん (Tanaka-san), が (topic marker), 私 (I), に (object marker), 辞書 (dictionary), を (object marker), 貸して (lend), あげた (did something for someone)
Context
The grammar pattern ～てあげる is used in informal situations, especially when the speaker is doing something for someone of equal or lower social status. It is not suitable for formal situations or when addressing someone of higher status. This pattern is often used in combination with other polite expressions to show respect and gratitude.
Watch out
When addressing someone of higher status, it is more polite to use 'sashiageru' instead of ～てあげる, as it shows more respect and deference.
～てあげる and 'te kureru' are often confused, but they have different meanings. ～てあげる focuses on the giver's perspective, while 'te kureru' focuses on the receiver's perspective.
When using ～てあげる, the particle 'ni' is used to indicate the recipient, not 'o'. For example, '友達に宿題を手伝ってあげる' instead of '友達に宿題を手伝ってあげる'.
Strategy
In the JLPT N4 exam, you may encounter questions that test your ability to form sentences using the grammar pattern ～てあげる. Make sure to pay attention to the context and the social status of the speaker and the recipient. Also, be careful with the auxiliary verb and the particle usage.
Related
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N4 test-style questions. Each sentence shows ～てあげる used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
友達の宿題を手伝ってあげました。
Pattern used: あげました
Since the speaker is doing the favor for a friend (equal status), 'te ageru' is appropriate.
重そうな荷物ですね。持ってあげましょうか。
Pattern used: あげ
When offering to do a favor for someone (of equal or lower status), 'te ageru' is used.
田中さんが私に辞書を貸してくれました。
Pattern used: くれました
Even though a favor is being done, 'te ageru' is only for when 'I' give. When someone gives to 'me', 'te kureru' must be used.
Interactive
友達の宿題を手伝って______。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.