与えます（あたえます、ataemasu）
- to give

The Japanese verb 与えます (atえます) primarily means "to give," "to provide," "to grant," or "to award." It implies the act of bestowing something upon someone or something. It covers a wide range of situations, from physically handing over an object to offering abstract things like advice or opportunities. It often suggests a one-way transaction or the conferral of something from a giver to a receiver. It's important to note the nuance; 与えます can sometimes suggest a formal or deliberate giving, or a giving that has significant consequences.

⚫︎ 先生は学生に宿題を与えました。 Translation: The teacher gave homework to the students. ⚫︎ 政府は市民に支援金を与えました。 Translation: The government provided financial aid to the citizens. ⚫︎ 彼は彼女にチャンスを与えました。 Translation: He gave her a chance.

⚫︎ 与えます is used in formal and informal situations, though its formality often depends on the context and the recipient. ⚫︎ It can be used when giving tangible objects, awarding prizes, providing information or support, and granting opportunities. ⚫︎ The subject of the verb is usually the giver, and the direct object is the thing being given. The indirect object indicates the recipient. The particle に is typically used after the recipient of something that is 与えられ与えられた. The particle を is used after what is being given.

⚫︎ The word is written in kanji as 与えます. ⚫︎ The hiragana reading is あたえます. ⚫︎ The base form (dictionary form) is 与える (ataeru). ⚫︎ The masu-form is 与えます (ataemasu). ⚫︎ Okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is standard and is always えます after the kanji 与. ⚫︎ Variations of the verb include: 与えた (ataeta, past tense), 与えません (ataemasen, negative form), 与えたい (ataetai, want to give).

⚫︎ 渡します (watashimasu): To hand over, to pass. (Often used for physical objects) ⚫︎ あげます (agemasu): To give (more casual and generally used for things you give to people of equal or lower status) ⚫︎ 差し上げます (sashiagemasu): To give (more polite, used when giving to someone of higher status) ⚫︎ 授与します (juyo shimasu): To award, to confer (more formal, often for awards or titles) ⚫︎ 提供します (teikyo shimasu): To offer, to provide (often used for services or goods)

⚫︎ 受け取る (uketoru): To receive, to get. ⚫︎ もらう (morau): To receive (from someone) ⚫︎ 奪う (ubau): To steal, to seize, to deprive.

社長は社員にボーナスを与えました。 ・Translation: The president gave bonuses to the employees. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 与えました to describe the act of the president granting a bonus, which is a common practice in many companies.

その会社は、地域社会に貢献する機会を与えたいと考えています。 ・Translation: That company is considering giving opportunities to contribute to the local community. ・Explanation: In this sentence, 与える (in its potential form 与えたい) signifies the desire to provide opportunities, which indicates a proactive approach by the company to help the community.

The kanji 与 means "to give" or "to grant." The etymology of this kanji involves the combination of different elements. This character conveys the meaning of providing, bestowing, or granting something to another. The verb 与える, therefore, directly reflects this basic meaning of giving or bestowing.