JLPT N4 grammar
あげる — Meaning & Examples
"I/we give" — away from the speaker. [giver]は[receiver]に[thing]をあげる. Never for gifts TO yourself. Casual/down: やる (yaru); humble: さしあげる (sashiageru).
あげる — I Give (Away From Me)
あげる = to give, when the giver is you or moving away from your side.
Pattern: [giver]は [receiver]に [thing]を あげる
わたしは友達にプレゼントをあげた。(watashi wa tomodachi ni purezento o ageta.)
= I gave my friend a present.
妹は母に花をあげました。(imouto wa haha ni hana o agemashita.)
= My sister gave my mother flowers.
Important: NEVER use あげる for something given TO you — that's くれる.
Politeness levels:
・やる (yaru) = casual / downward (to pets, plants, younger family)
犬にえさをやる (inu ni esa o yaru) = feed the dog
・さしあげる (sashiageru) = humble (giving to a superior)
先生にプレゼントをさしあげました。(sensei ni purezento o sashiagemashita.)
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on あげる. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. "My friend gave ME a present" uses which verb?
- あげる (ageru)
- くれる (kureru)
- もらう (morau)
- やる (yaru)
Show answer
Answer: くれる (kureru)
くれる = someone gives TO me. 友達がわたしにプレゼントをくれた. It always points toward the speaker.
2. "I gave my friend a present" uses?
- くれる (kureru)
- あげる (ageru)
- もらう (morau)
- くださる (kudasaru)
Show answer
Answer: あげる (ageru)
あげる = I give (away from me). わたしは友達にプレゼントをあげた.
3. Why can you never say わたしが…くれる?
- くれる always points at the speaker, so "I give to me" is impossible
- くれる is too formal
- くれる is only for objects
- くれる needs を
Show answer
Answer: くれる always points at the speaker, so "I give to me" is impossible
くれる means someone gives TO me/my side. The giver can't be わたし — use あげる when you are the giver.
Practise あげる in the free app
This point is part of the “Giving & Receiving — あげる・くれる・もらう” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: Giving & Receiving — あげる・くれる・もらう
Frequently asked questions
What does あげる mean?
"I/we give" — away from the speaker. [giver]は[receiver]に[thing]をあげる. Never for gifts TO yourself. Casual/down: やる (yaru); humble: さしあげる (sashiageru).
Is あげる on the JLPT N4 test?
あげる is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Giving & Receiving — あげる・くれる・もらう”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise あげる?
Open the “Giving & Receiving — あげる・くれる・もらう” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.