Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "あげます", "くれる", "差し上げる", "くださる"
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
くれる
くれる (kureru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
差し上げる
さしあげる (sashiageru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
くださる
くださる (kudasaru)
N4 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "give" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "あげます", "くれる", "差し上げる", "くださる" 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.
- くれる (くれる (kureru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to give (to me/my group)" and is used when Used when the giver gives something to the speaker or someone in their group. The giver is often someone doing a favor or acting from their side. Direction: giver → me/my group..
- 差し上げる (さしあげる (sashiageru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to give (humble form of あげる)" and is used when Humble form of あげる.
- 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.
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 "くれる"
友達が私に本をくれました。
My friend gave me a book.
Context for "差し上げる"
先生にお土産を差し上げました。
I gave a souvenir to my teacher.
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.
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.".