Grammar Point
transitive verb
vt 
Ichidan verb
v1 
word usually written using kana alone
uk 
polite (teineigo) language
pol 
あげる

to give

Giver は Receiver に Object を あげる

The verb あげる is used when the speaker or someone in the speaker's inner circle gives something to another person. It is typically used for people of equal status, or when the giver is of higher status than the receiver. It cannot be used when the speaker is the receiver.

This structure identifies the giver as the subject (marked by は or が) and the receiver as the indirect object (marked by に).

I gave a book to my friend.

My younger brother gave a present to his classmate.

Note

When the receiver is a member of the speaker's 'out-group' (like a stranger or an acquaintance) and the giver is a member of the speaker's 'in-group' (like a family member), あげる is used. You should never use あげる when someone gives something to you; in that case, use くれる instead.

Words: 
上げるあげる
Radicals of radicals