渡す vs 与える
JLPT N5 vocabulary · what is the difference?
渡す is the everyday verb for handing something over — you physically pass it to someone. 与える is formal and often abstract, used for bestowing something from a higher position (影響を与える, チャンスを与える) or for feeding animals. Handing a friend a pen is ペンを渡す; ペンを与える sounds like you are granting them a favour.
When to use each
渡す
わたす
Use 渡す for the physical act of passing an object to another person, whoever they are. It is neutral and normal in conversation.
この書類を部長に渡してください。
このしょるいをぶちょうにわたしてください。
Please hand these documents to the manager.
友だちにペンを渡しました。
ともだちにぺんをわたしました。
I handed my friend a pen.
与える
あたえる
Use 与える in writing and formal speech, for giving something the other side cannot simply take — an opportunity, an influence, damage — or for giving food to animals. It carries a sense of the giver being above the receiver.
この事件は社会に大きな影響を与えた。
このじけんはしゃかいにおおきなえいきょうをあたえた。
This incident had a big influence on society.
動物にえさを与えないでください。
どうぶつにえさをあたえないでください。
Please do not feed the animals.
Sentences where only one works
先生にレポートを渡しました。
せんせいにれぽーとをわたしました。
I handed my report to the teacher.
A physical object passed hand to hand, so 渡す, even though the teacher is senior to you.
台風は町に大きな被害を与えた。
たいふうはまちにおおきなひがいをあたえた。
The typhoon caused great damage to the town.
Nothing is handed over; 被害 and 影響 are abstract, and 与える is the fixed choice.
若い社員にチャンスを与えたい。
わかいしゃいんにちゃんすをあたえたい。
I want to give the young staff a chance.
An opportunity is granted from a position of authority, which is exactly 与える territory.
受付でパンフレットを渡されました。
うけつけでぱんふれっとをわたされました。
I was handed a pamphlet at the reception desk.
Ordinary handing over in daily life — 与えられました here would sound oddly grand.
Common mistakes
友だちにペンを与えました。
友だちにペンを渡しました。
与える puts the speaker above the receiver, so using it with a friend and an everyday object sounds pompous, as if you were bestowing the pen on them.
この映画は私に影響を渡した。
この映画は私に影響を与えた。
影響, 被害 and 印象 take 与える as a set collocation. 渡す only works for things that can literally change hands.
先生にプレゼントを与えました。
先生にプレゼントを渡しました。
Giving upward to a superior can never be 与える. If you want to be polite, 差し上げました is the humble option.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use 与える to a teacher or a boss?
No. 与える looks down from the giver to the receiver, so using it toward someone above you is rude. Use 渡す, or the humble 差し上げる.
Is 与える the same as あげる?
They overlap in meaning but not in register. あげる is the everyday spoken verb, 与える belongs to writing, news and formal announcements, and it is the only natural one with abstract nouns like 影響.
Why is feeding animals えさを与える?
Because the giver is clearly above the receiver and it is standard written style, which is why zoo and park signs use it. In casual speech people also say えさをあげる.