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
譲る
ゆずる (yuzuru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "give" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between あげる and 譲る.
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, 譲る (ゆずる (yuzuru)) maps to "to give way, to hand over, to concede, to yield" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Implies giving something. 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 "譲る"
電車ではお年寄りに席を譲りましょう。
On the train, let's give up our seats to the elderly.
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.". "譲る" represents "to give way, to hand over, to concede, to yield".