～やる (2) (to do something undesirable)

• Reading: やる
• Romaji: yaru
• Formation: Verb て-form + やる

Meaning

An auxiliary verb used after the て-form to express that someone does something perceived as undesirable, annoying, or hostile toward another person. It adds a nuance of the action being unwelcome or done spitefully.

てやる as an auxiliary conveys that the action is directed at someone in a way the speaker considers forceful, aggressive, or unwelcome. It can express spite (いつか仕返ししてやる — I'll get them back someday), reluctant charity (仕方がないから手伝ってやる — I'll help them since there's no choice), or rough generosity from a position of power. In male speech especially, てやる can also express doing a favor in a blunt, unrefined way. The politeness level is low, and using it about actions toward superiors would be highly inappropriate. Context determines whether the tone is hostile, begrudging, or casually generous.

Examples

1. あいつが嘘をついたから、本当のことを言ってやった。 He lied, so I told him the truth.
2. 弟が泣いていたので、仕方なくお菓子を買ってやった。 My little brother was crying, so I reluctantly bought him some sweets.
3. いつかあの試合の悔しさを晴らしてやる。 Someday I'll avenge the frustration of that match.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, everyday

Tone: rough

Do Say

• 今度遅刻したら、本気で怒ってやるからな。
• 子供が宿題がわからないと言うから、見てやった。
• そんなに頼むなら、特別に手伝ってやるよ。

Don't Say

• 先生に教えてやった。(てやる implies superiority over the recipient; using it toward a teacher is extremely rude) → 先生に教えてさしあげた。
• お母さんに料理を作ってやった。(てやる toward a family elder sounds arrogant; use てあげた) → お母さんに料理を作ってあげた。
• 社長に報告してやります。(Using てやる in a business context toward a superior is inappropriate; use いたします or させていただきます) → 社長にご報告いたします。

Origin & History

An extension of やる (to give/do), used as an auxiliary verb after て-form. The downward directionality of やる (giving to inferiors) carries over, creating a tone of acting upon someone from a position of superiority or with forceful intent.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal