JLPT N3 Grammar – Difference between “〜あげる” and “〜きる”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜あげる” and “〜きる”
2. あげる
3. きる
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “書きあげる” and “書ききる“? Don’t they both mean to finish writing?
A: Both mean “to finish writing,” but their nuances are different. This article explains the differences in detail.
あげる (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
To complete or finish something
[Rule]
[V] Verb stem + あげる
[Commonly Used Verbs]
書く(to write)・作る (to create)・育てる (to raise)・きたえる (to train)・みがく(to polish)・できる (to accomplish)・調べる (to investigate)・焼く (to bake, to grill)・炊く(to cook)
[Examples]
ようやくエッセイを書きあげました。
I finally finished writing my essay.
子供を3人育てあげた母はすばらしいです。
My mother who has raised three children is truly admirable.
警察が証拠を調べあげて犯人を捕まえました。
The police thoroughly investigated the evidence and caught the criminal.
きる (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
To do something completely; to finish something entirely
[Rule]
[V] Verb stem + きる
[Commonly Used Verbs]
書く(to write)・食べる (to eat)・使う (to use)・言う (to say)・信じる (to believe)・疲れる (to get tired)
[Examples]
夏休みのレポートを全て書ききりました。
I completed my summer vacation report.
まんがを全部読みきりました。
I read all the manga to the end.
長い距離をなんとか走りきりました。
I managed to run the long distance to the finish.
For the difference between “〜きる” and “〜ぬく,”
please read this article.
Let’s Compare
Now, let’s take a look at the differences between these two.
“あげる” emphasizes “completion.” It plays a role in highlighting the process and effort involved.
Looking at the verbs commonly used with it, it is often applied to things that require time and effort to complete.
Additionally, even when there is no strong sense of accomplishment, it is frequently used with verbs related to cooking, which inherently involve a process.
“きる” is based on a background of “difficulty or challenge” and expresses “seeing something through to the end completely” or “doing everything without leaving anything unfinished.”
The difficulty or challenge can involve mental strain or a task that is large in volume and requires significant effort.
Additionally, it can also mean “reaching a completely certain state.”
[Examples]
◯色々な人に助けてもらいながら、ようやくエッセイを書きあげました。
◯色々な人に助けてもらいながら、ようやくエッセイを書ききりました。
I finally finished writing my essay with the help of many people.
⇒ “あげる” emphasizes that the speaker made an effort and completed the essay with the help of those around them.
“きる” conveys the nuance of overcoming difficulties and challenges to see the writing through to the very end, even if it is not explicitly stated.
◯おいしいパンが焼きあがったから、みんなで食べましょう。
× おいしいパンを焼ききったから、みんなで食べましょう。
The delicious bread is baked, so let’s all eat together.
⇒ “焼きあげる” indicates that the bread has gone through various steps in the baking process and is now complete.
On the other hand, “焼ききる” is used when something is completely burned or when the act of baking itself is particularly challenging, so it does not match the idea of the bread simply being finished.
× 疲れあげた顔をしていますが、大丈夫ですか？
◯ 疲れきった顔をしていますが、大丈夫ですか？
You look completely exhausted. Are you okay?
⇒ “疲れきる” expresses a state of being completely exhausted.
On the other hand, “あげる” carries the meaning of “completing something through a process,” but since “fatigue” is not something that is “created or built up” but rather reaches an extreme level, it does not logically connect with “あげる.”
Summary
[あげる]
- Emphasizes “completion” and is often used with verbs that convey a sense of accomplishment after going through a process.
[きる]
- Expresses “carrying something through to the end” while overcoming difficulties or challenges. It also means “to do something completely without leaving anything unfinished.”
- Additionally, it can indicate a state of being completely transformed or reached.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. きる
長編小説を最後まで書ききるのは、とても大変でした。
Writing a full-length novel to the very end was extremely challenging.
*”きる” means “to carry something through to completion.” It is suitable for cases where the task is large in volume, such as writing a long novel, making it challenging to finish completely.
A. あげた
彼はゼロから会社を作りあげたそうです。
He is said to have built a company from scratch.
*”あげる” means “to complete something through a process.” While “作る” simply indicates establishing a company, “作り上げる” emphasizes the process leading to completion and the sense of accomplishment.
A. きる
このマラソン大会はとても過酷ですが、最後まで走りきる自信があります。
This marathon race is extremely tough, but I am confident I can run to the finish.
*”きる” conveys the meaning of “overcoming difficulties and seeing something through to the end,” making it suitable for describing the completion of a grueling marathon.
A. あげる
シェフが時間をかけて丁寧にケーキを焼きあげました。
The chef took the time and care to perfectly bake the cake.
*”あげる” emphasizes “completing something through a process,” making “焼きあげる” appropriate for baking a cake, as it involves both time and effort.
