Whats the difference between 与える and あげる?

[kincaid42]

and also 貰う and 受ける?

People say theres a difference but I'm still confused on the subject.

 

[Glenn]

One big difference is that あげる and もらう can be used as auxiliary verbs of given and receiving, but 与える and 受ける can't. Also, there are set uses, like 誰々は、何々を受けて何々をした (can't use もらう here) and 影響を与える (can't say 影響をあげる). It may just mostly be usage.

 

[Elizabeth]

貰う also has the connotation of receive with gratitude or have/get the thing done (by a person). It is polite and the speaker therefore can't use it when they are the benefactor. 受ける refers to get/catch/receive/take and 受け取る is an extension when the bestowed item is received with pleasure - more like to "take in"/receive/accept.

あげる is also less broad in person to person giving situations and always used in place of 与える when the recipient is of higher or equal social standing. 与える = Parent --> child, teacher --> student, charitable donations to strangers, etc.