How to say "present" in Japanese

• プレゼントJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe everyday noun for a present or gift: something you give someone, as on a birthday. It covers the noun sense of 'present', not the 'current' sense of 現行.
  ハーモニカはお父とうさんからのプレゼントですか。↗

  Is the harmonica a present from his father?
• 現行げんこうJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveThe 'present' meaning current or in operation: something now in force rather than outdated. It has nothing to do with gifts, so it is not the word for a present you give someone.
  現行げんこうの法律ほうりつは人種じんしゅの多様性たようせいを考慮こうりょしていない。↗

  Existing legislation does not take diversity of races into account.
• 贈り物おくりものJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe native word for a present or gift: the thing itself that you wrap up or hand over. It overlaps with プレゼント, and either is fine for the noun sense of 'present'.
  ジェニーは贈り物おくりものをありがとうと言いった。↗

  Jenny thanked me for the gift.
• 贈るおくるJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe verb 'to present' in the sense of giving someone a gift: this is the action of handing over a present, as when you give a friend something for their birthday.
  ドロシーは彼かれにすばらしい贈り物おくりものを贈おくった。↗

  Dorothy sent him a nice present.
• 与えるあたえるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbReally the general verb 'to give', often to someone of lower status, or 'to bestow, grant, confer'. It matches 'present' only in that bestowing sense; for giving a gift, 贈る is the natural verb.
  人ひとは天てんから与あたえられるのでなければ、なにもうけることはできません。↗

  A man can receive only what is given to him from heaven.

For 'present' as a gift, choose 「プレゼント」 or 「贈り物」; for the verb 'to present' a gift, use 「贈る」; 「与える」 really means to give or bestow, and 現行 is 'present' only in the sense of current.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• プレゼントpresent
• 現行げんこうpresent
• 贈り物おくりものpresent
• 贈るおくるto give (as a gift)
• 与えるあたえるto give (esp. to someone of lower status)
• 手土産てみやげpresent (brought by a visitor)
• 現有げんゆうpresent
• 配り物くばりものpresent
• 付け届けつけとどけgift
• 現げんpresent (e.g. government, administration)
• 呈するていするto present
• 供するきょうするto offer
• 頂き物いただきものpresent (that one has received)
• 奉ずるほうずるto present
• 献ずるけんずるto present
• 呈出ていしゅつpresent
• 奉じるほうじるto present
• 音物いんもつpresent (to build up a "friendship" with someone)
• 到来物とうらいものpresent (received from someone)
• 贈呈品ぞうていひんpresent
• 頂戴物ちょうだいものpresent
• 献じるけんじるto present
• 現在時制げんざいじせいpresent
• 呈すていすto present
• おみやpresent
• 奉るたてまつるto offer
• 届け物とどけものarticle to be delivered
• 手向けるたむけるto offer (e.g. flowers at a grave)
• 進ぜるしんぜるto give
• 進物しんもつgift
• 引き物ひきものgift
• 贈答品ぞうとうひんgift
• 進ずるしんずるto give
• 供すきょうすto offer
• ソンムルgift
• もらい物もらいもの(received) present
• はいpresent
• 本ほんthis
• 差し出すさしだすto present
• 使い物つかいものpresent
• 祝いいわいcongratulatory gift
• 差し上げるさしあげるto give
• 目先めさきimmediate (e.g. interests)
• 当座とうざimmediate
• お祝いおいわいcongratulatory gift
• 土産どさんpresent
• 引っさげるひっさげるto present (an issue, policy, artistic work, etc.)
• 苞つとlocal produce
• こますto give
• やるto give (esp. to someone of equal or lower status)
• かけるto argue (in court)