Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Give" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "give", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
あげる
あげる (ageru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
くださる
くださる (kudasaru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "give" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between あげる and くださる.
In Japanese, あげる (あげる (ageru)) is typically associated with "to give (to someone else)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used when the speaker or someone else gives something to another person/thing. Direction: giver → receiver.
On the other hand, くださる (くださる (kudasaru)) maps to "to give (honorific, when the giver is superior to the recipient)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Honorific form of くれる. A literal translation of "give" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "あげる"
友達にプレゼントをあげます。
I give a present to my friend.
Bilingual Context for "くださる"
部長が私に新しいプロジェクトの情報をくださった。
The department manager gave me information about the new project.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達にプレゼントをあげます。" (Meaning: "I give a present to my friend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "あげる" fits here because it means "to give (to someone else)" in the context of: "I give a present to my friend.". "くださる" represents "to give (honorific, when the giver is superior to the recipient)".