～てあげる (doing a favour)

• Reading: てあげる
• Romaji: te ageru
• Formation: Verb て-form + あげる

Meaning

Indicates doing something as a favour for someone who is not a member of the giver's in-group. The action is performed from the doer's perspective with a sense of kindness or generosity.

てあげる combines the て-form of a verb with あげる to express performing an action as a favour for someone else. It inherits the same social dynamics as あげる — it implies the doer is being generous or helpful. However, using てあげる about the speaker's own actions can sometimes sound condescending or boastful, so it should be used carefully. The more polite form てさしあげる is used with superiors. This pattern cannot be used when someone else does something for the speaker — てくれる is used instead.

Examples

1. 道に迷った人に道を教えてあげた。 I showed the way to a person who was lost.
2. 妹に宿題を手伝ってあげた。 I helped my younger sister with her homework.
3. 友達を駅まで送ってあげました。 I gave my friend a ride to the station.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 重い荷物を持ってあげましょうか。
• 弟に自転車の乗り方を教えてあげた。
• 留学生に漢字の読み方を説明してあげた。

Don't Say

• 部長の資料を作ってあげました。(てあげる to a superior sounds presumptuous — use a neutral or humble form) → 部長の資料を作りました。
• 友達が私に料理を作ってあげた。(When someone does a favour for the speaker, use てくれた, not てあげた) → 友達が私に料理を作ってくれた。

Origin & History

てあげる developed as a grammaticalised extension of the giving verb あげる, applying the concept of giving to actions performed for the benefit of others.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal