Meaning
Shows that the speaker or someone else does something helpful for another person.
Formation
- て form + あげる: 手伝ってあげました
- The receiver takes に: 妹に手伝ってあげました
- Do not say it to a superior; it sounds like a favour granted
When to use it
- Core use
- Do something for someone
Example
私は妹に宿題を手伝ってあげました
I helped my younger sister with her homework.
Important notes
- Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.