Nuances of "give" - あげる／与える／授ける


Can someone give some good context and scenarios for using these? Not only
when to use them, but when **NOT** to use them as well. I know あげる is kind of
the most common, but I'm just not sure of the nuances between them.




**あげる**

Usually involves the transfer of a physical object from one person to another
of equal (or sometimes lower) status.

> 友達に洋服をあげる

**与える（あたえる）**

Can function as あげる, but in modern Japanese it comes with a formal ring and
often involves something given as a favor for someone of lower status. Beyond
this, its alternate uses include "assign" as in "assign homework", as well as
"give" in connection with abstract concepts, such as influence or impressions.

> 子供におやつを与える (can replace with あげる)
>
> 宿題を与える ("assign homework", note this also goes from higher to lower status)
>
> 影響を与える ("exert influence", abstract)
>
> いい印象を与える ("give a good impression", also abstract)

**授ける（さずける）**

Limited to giving something special (a privilege, a prize, etc) to someone of
lower status. Closer to the English "award", "grant", or "bestow" than "give".

> 勲章を授ける ("award a medal")
>
> 知恵を授ける ("bestow wisdom")

* * *

Definitions and example sentences taken from the 大辞泉 definitions for
[あげる](http://dic.yahoo.co.jp/dsearch?enc=UTF-8&p=%E3%81%82%E3%81%92%E3%82%8B&dtype=0&dname=0na&stype=0&pagenum=1&index=00323400207300),
[与える](http://dic.yahoo.co.jp/dsearch?enc=UTF-8&p=%E4%B8%8E%E3%81%88%E3%82%8B&dtype=0&dname=0na&stype=0&pagenum=1&index=00454500316300),
and
[授ける](http://dic.yahoo.co.jp/dsearch?enc=UTF-8&p=%E6%8E%88%E3%81%91%E3%82%8B&dtype=0&dname=0na&stype=0&pagenum=1&index=08923907335400).




**あげる**

Usually involves the transfer of a physical object from one person to another
of equal (or sometimes lower) status.

> 友達に洋服をあげる

**与える（あたえる）**

Can function as あげる, but in modern Japanese it comes with a formal ring and
often involves something given as a favor for someone of lower status. Beyond
this, its alternate uses include "assign" as in "assign homework", as well as
"give" in connection with abstract concepts, such as influence or impressions.

> 子供におやつを与える (can replace with あげる)
>
> 宿題を与える ("assign homework", note this also goes from higher to lower status)
>
> 影響を与える ("exert influence", abstract)
>
> いい印象を与える ("give a good impression", also abstract)

**授ける（さずける）**

Limited to giving something special (a privilege, a prize, etc) to someone of
lower status. Closer to the English "award", "grant", or "bestow" than "give".

> 勲章を授ける ("award a medal")
>
> 知恵を授ける ("bestow wisdom")

* * *

Definitions and example sentences taken from the 大辞泉 definitions for
[あげる](http://dic.yahoo.co.jp/dsearch?enc=UTF-8&p=%E3%81%82%E3%81%92%E3%82%8B&dtype=0&dname=0na&stype=0&pagenum=1&index=00323400207300),
[与える](http://dic.yahoo.co.jp/dsearch?enc=UTF-8&p=%E4%B8%8E%E3%81%88%E3%82%8B&dtype=0&dname=0na&stype=0&pagenum=1&index=00454500316300),
and
[授ける](http://dic.yahoo.co.jp/dsearch?enc=UTF-8&p=%E6%8E%88%E3%81%91%E3%82%8B&dtype=0&dname=0na&stype=0&pagenum=1&index=08923907335400).

