～てあげる

How to form it

• Verb (て-form) + あげる / あげます
• Subject = giver; the receiver is marked with に
• ～て差し上げる is a more formal humble expression, but it can sound patronizing when used directly toward a superior; ～ていただく or another expression is often more suitable

Register: Neutral; sounds condescending to a superior

Explanation

Says that the speaker or the subject does something for another person as a favour.

It can sound as if the giver is doing the other person a favour. When speaking to a superior, avoid it, or use ～ましょうか.

Examples

1. 友達に、日本語を教えてあげた。

   ともだちに、にほんごをおしえてあげた。

   I taught my friend Japanese.

2. 妹に、手紙を書いてあげました。

   いもうとに、てがみをかいてあげました。

   I wrote a letter for my younger sister.

3. 荷物が重そうだったので、持ってあげた。

   にもつがおもそうだったので、もってあげた。

   The luggage looked heavy, so I carried it for them.

Compare with

• ～てもらう: ～てもらう is from the receiver's side.
• ～てくれる: ～てくれる is a favour done for the speaker's side.

Common mistakes

• Using ～てあげる to a superior (先生に教えてあげます), which can sound patronizing.
• Using it for a favour done to the speaker (use ～てくれる).