give · share

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 与 has three strokes. The verb 与える is read あたえる, while 与 in compounds is read よ.
• Basic usage: 与える means to give not only objects but also intangible things such as time, opportunities, or authority.
  • 権限を与える means to grant authority.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Recipient and thing given
  • In 人に時間を与える, に marks the person receiving something, and を marks the time being given.
  • The recipient and the thing given have different roles; it does not mean giving away a person.
• Involvement and pay
  • 関与, read かんよ, means involvement in a matter; 給与, read きゅうよ, means salary or pay.
  • The shared character does not make both words simple acts of giving gifts.