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to receive a favor
Definition
The grammar pattern ～てもらう is used to express receiving a favor from someone else. It implies that the speaker initiated or is grateful for the action performed by the other person. The receiver is the subject of the sentence, and the giver is usually marked with the particle 'ni' or 'kara'. This pattern is often used in polite or formal situations to show appreciation for someone's help or assistance.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Te-form of the verb | Nominative marker (wa) + Te-form of the verb + (ni/kara) + (te) + (morau) | 私 (wa) は日本人の友達 (ni) に漢字 (te) 教えて (te) もらう (morau) |
| Te-form of the verb | Nominative marker (wa) + Te-form of the verb + (ni/kara) + (te) + (morau) | 誕生日に姉 (ni) にケーキ (te) 焼いて (te) もらう (morau) |
| Te-form of the verb | Nominative marker (wa) + Te-form of the verb + (ni/kara) + (te) + (morau) | 道がわからなかったので、知らない人 (ni) に教えて (te) もらう (morau) |
Examples
私は日本人の友達に漢字を教えてもらう。
Watashi wa nihonjin no tomodachi ni kanji o oshiete morau.
I receive help with learning Japanese characters from a Japanese friend.
私 (I) は (wa) 日本人の友達 (Japanese friend) に (ni) 漢字 (Japanese characters) を (o) 教えて (te) もらう (morau)
誕生日に姉にケーキを焼いてもらう。
Tanjōbi ni ane ni kēki o yakeru te morau.
I receive a cake from my sister on my birthday.
誕生日 (birthday) に (ni) 姉 (older sister) に (ni) ケーキ (cake) を (o) 焼いて (te) もらう (morau)
道がわからなかったので、知らない人に教えてもらう。
Michi ga wakaranakatta node, shiranai hito ni oshiete morau.
I receive help with finding the way from a stranger.
道 (way) が (ga)わからなかった (didn't know)ので (because) 知らない人 (stranger) に (ni) 教えて (te) もらう (morau)
Context
This pattern is used to express receiving a favor from someone else. It is often used in polite or formal situations to show appreciation for someone's help or assistance. It can be used with any verb that takes the te-form.
Watch out
The particle 'ni' is used to mark the receiver, not the giver. Using 'ni' to mark the giver can change the meaning of the sentence.
This pattern is used to express receiving a favor from someone of equal or lower status. When speaking to a superior, it is more polite to use the pattern 'te itadaku'.
The pattern 'te kureru' is used to express giving a favor to someone. It is different from 'te morau' in that the giver is the subject of the sentence.
Strategy
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct particle to mark the giver and receiver. Also, be careful not to confuse this pattern with 'te kureru' or use it with a superior.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N4 test-style questions. Each sentence shows ～てもらう used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
私は日本人の友達に漢字を教えてもらいました。
Pattern used: もらいました
With 'Watashi wa' as the subject and 'tomodachi ni' as the giver, 'te morau' is the correct way to express receiving a favor.
誕生日に姉にケーキを焼いてもらいました。
Pattern used: もらいました
This sentence describes receiving the act of baking from an older sister; 'te morau' focuses on the speaker's perspective as the recipient.
道がわからなかったので、知らない人に教えてもらいました。
Pattern used: もらいました
When you get someone to do something for you, 'te morau' is used.
Interactive
私は日本人の友達に漢字を教えて______。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.