GRAMMAR DETAIL

てあげる

do something for someone

Follows the connective form of a verb to show that the speaker or subject performs an action for someone else's benefit.

Examples

私は妹の難しい宿題を手伝ってあげた。

I helped my younger sister with her difficult homework.

友達が迷っていたので、地図を見せてあげた。

My friend was lost, so I showed them a map.

弟に自転車の乗り方を教えてあげました。

I taught my younger brother how to ride a bicycle.

Structure: A verb's て form takes あげる to describe an action for someone else's benefit.
Basic usage: In 弟に自転車の乗り方を教えてあげました。, the speaker is the person who taught the younger brother.

Who performs the action
- 私が友達に教えてあげる has the speaker teaching; 友達が私に教えてくれる has the friend teaching the speaker. Distinguish the agent and the direction of the benefit together.
Tone that foregrounds a favor
- 説明してあげます presents the explanation as a favor for the listener. Said directly to that person, it can sound patronizing, so the relationship and situation matter.