あげる

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 誕生日に友達にプレゼントをあげました。▶ —
   I gave a present to my friend for their birthday.
2. この本、あなたにあげる。▶ —
   This book, I'll give it to you.

Collocations

Mnemonic

あげる — 上げる, Yamato. An ichidan verb. One seat of the Japanese 授受動詞 juju-doushi (give-and-receive verbs), a triad where direction is compulsory ── あげる: the speaker (or in-group) gives outward. くれる: someone gives toward the speaker (inward). もらう: the speaker receives. English 'give' and Korean 'juda' move freely, but Japanese nails down who gives to whom in the verb itself. 私は友達にあげる (I give to a friend, outward) ↔ 友達が私にくれる (a friend gives to me, inward). The formality ladder ── あげる (plain) → 差し上げる sashiageru (humble, 'humbly offer') → やる yaru (to animals, plants, or a rough register). It parallels the Korean three-tier 'juda / deurida / meogida'.

Quick check

1. Natural verb for watering a plant?

   • Yaru — plants / animals / downward
   • Ageru — general
   • Sashiageru — humble formal
   • Kureru — inward