N4 Giving and Receiving Actions

~てあげる: meaning, usage and examples

~てあげる means: doing something for someone else.

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 友達ともだちに宿題しゅくだいを教おしえてあげました。

   I helped my friend with his homework.

2. 母ははに花はなを買かってあげたいです。

   I want to buy flowers for my mother.

3. 妹いもうとに絵本えほんを読よんであげました。

   I read a picture book to my little sister.

4. 山田やまださんに駅えきまでの道みちを教おしえてあげました。

   I showed Ms. Yamada the way to the station.

When to use it

Use てあげる when you, or someone in your group, do something for another person as a favor. The giver is the subject and the person who benefits is marked with に (or の for their belongings). 妹いもうとに本ほんを読よんであげました means "I read a book to my little sister." It answers the question "who did the favor?": the subject did it for someone else.

Nuance

Because it stresses "I am doing you a favor," saying てあげる directly to a superior or a guest can sound condescending. For superiors, offer politely with お + verb + します (お持もちします) instead. Between friends, family and toward younger people it is natural and friendly.

Compare

The three favor verbs differ in direction. てあげる: I (or my side) do it for someone else, 友達ともだちに教おしえてあげた. てくれる: someone does it for me or my side, 友達ともだちが教おしえてくれた. てもらう: I receive the favor, and the doer takes に, 友達ともだちに教おしえてもらった. てさしあげる is the humble version of てあげる.

Tip: Never use てあげる for something done to you; that is てくれる. And avoid 先生せんせい、持もってあげます: say お持もちします to a teacher or boss.