Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "あげます", "あげる", "くださる", "諦める"
All represent the core concept "give", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
あげます
あげます (agemasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
あげる
あげる (ageru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
くださる
くださる (kudasaru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
諦める
あきらめる (akirameru)
N4 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "give" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "あげます", "あげる", "くださる", "諦める" based on context.
- あげます (あげます (agemasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to give" and is used when Used when the giver.
- あげる (あげる (ageru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to give (to someone else)" and is used when Used when the speaker or someone else gives something to another person/thing. Direction: giver → receiver.
- くださる (くださる (kudasaru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to give (honorific, when the giver is superior to the recipient)" and is used when Honorific form of くれる.
- 諦める (あきらめる (akirameru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to give up" and is used when 努力を続けたり、何かを達成しようとすることをやめる際に使われます。.
Context for "あげます"
友達にプレゼントをあげました。
I gave a present to my friend.
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.
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.
Context for "諦める"
どんなに難しくても、夢を諦めてはいけません。
No matter how difficult it is, you shouldn't give up on your dream.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達にプレゼントをあげました。" (Meaning: "I gave a present to my friend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "あげます" is correct here because it represents "to give" in the context: "I gave a present to my friend.".