other N4 common politewritten kenjougo (humble)
さしあげる — to give (humble, to a superior)
さしあげる
Meaning
- the humble (謙譲語) form of あげる — I (or my in-group) give something to a person I respect
Key sentence
先生にお土産をさしあげた。
I gave the teacher a souvenir.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| giver (me) が, recipient (superior) に, thing を | [me/in-group] が [superior] に [thing] をさしあげる | 部長に資料をさしあげました |
Examples
卒業のとき、恩師に花束をさしあげました。
At graduation I gave my former teacher a bouquet.
お客様に粗品をさしあげております。
We are giving customers a small gift.
When you can't use it
- The receiver is someone you elevate; the giver is you or your side. For a gift coming *toward* you from a superior, switch to the honorific くださる.
- Used as a benefactive 〜てさしあげる('do ~ for a superior') it can sound condescending — it foregrounds your own kindness. In real keigo people usually rephrase (お〜する or just offering plainly).
Easily confused with
See さしあげる in real sentences
Jengo shows さしあげる the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar.