Posted inN4 Grammar

Mastering てもらう (te morau): Receiving Favors in Japanese

Posted inN4 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

To receive a favor or benefit from someone performing an action.

🎯 Primary Function

To indicate that the speaker (or the subject) received an action or service from someone else, often implying gratitude.

📋 Grammar Structure

Verb て-form + もらう

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Less common in very formal situations where いただく is preferred, but usable depending on the recipient’s status.

😊 Informal Situations

Frequently used to express receiving help or favors from friends, family, or colleagues.

✍️ Written Language

Used in written communication, though more formal contexts might prefer いただく.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Very common in daily conversation when talking about receiving help or services.

💡 Common Applications

Asking someone to do something for you.
Used when requesting a favor or action from someone.
Example: 先生に日本語を教えてもらいました。(Sensei ni Nihongo o oshiete moraimashita.) – I had my teacher teach me Japanese. (I received the favor of my teacher teaching me.)
Describing receiving help or a service.
Used to explain that you received assistance or a service from another person.
Example: 友達に荷物を持ってもらった。(Tomodachi ni nimotsu o motte moratta.) – My friend carried my luggage for me. (I received the favor of my friend carrying my luggage.)
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📊
Frequency
High frequency in daily conversation.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate (JLPT N4) – Understanding the perspective is key.
Example Sentences
母にセーターを編んでもらいました。
My mother knitted a sweater for me.
駅までの道を教えてもらえませんか。
Could you tell me the way to the station? (Could I receive the favor of you telling me the way?)
引っ越しを手伝ってもらって、とても助かりました。
I was very helpful because I had someone help me move. (I received the favor of someone helping me move, and it was very helpful.)
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Focus on the recipient.
The subject of もらう is the one receiving the action/favor.
Example: 私は友達に本を貸してもらいました。(Watashi wa tomodachi ni hon o kashite moraimashita.) – I had my friend lend me a book. (I am the one who received the action.)
Implies gratitude.
Using 〜てもらう naturally expresses gratitude for the favor received.
Example: この仕事を終わらせてもらって、本当に感謝しています。(Kono shigoto o owarasetemoratte, hontou ni kansha shite imasu.) – I’m really grateful that you finished this job for me.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Confusing with 〜てくれる.
✅ Use 〜てもらう when you are the recipient of the action. Use 〜てくれる when someone does an action for you, focusing on the giver’s kindness.
〜てもらう: “I received the favor of X doing Y for me.” 〜てくれる: “X did Y for me (as a favor).” The subject perspective is different.
❌ Using 〜てあげる when the speaker is the recipient.
✅ 〜てあげる is used when the speaker gives an action/favor to someone else. It cannot be used when the speaker receives.
〜てあげる: “I did Y for X.”

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Standard polite form. For higher politeness (e.g., speaking to superiors), use 〜ていただく (te itadaku).
Social Situations: Appropriate for requesting or acknowledging favors among equals, friends, or when the giver is of lower or equal status. Use 〜ていただく for superiors.
Regional Variations: The core meaning is standard, though specific politeness levels or variations of the verb “morau” might exist in very specific dialects.

🔍 Subtle Differences

〜てもらう vs. 〜てくれる
〜てもらう focuses on the receiver (often the speaker) receiving the favor. 〜てくれる focuses on the giver doing the favor for the speaker.
When to use: Use 〜てもらう when you want to emphasize that *you* received the benefit or when making a request from your perspective as the potential recipient. Use 〜てくれる when talking about someone else’s action benefiting you, emphasizing their kindness.
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📝 Conjugation Notes

Attach 〜てもらう to the て-form of the verb. Review て-form conjugation rules for う-verbs, る-verbs, and irregular verbs (する → して, 来る → きて).

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pay attention to the pronunciation of the て-form and the slight pause before もらう.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of “もらう” as receiving a gift. So, 〜てもらう means “receiving the gift of someone doing something for you.”

Practice Exercises
友達に（ ）もらいました。 (I had my friend help me with studying.)
勉強して
勉強する
勉強した
勉強し
先生にこの漢字の読み方を（ ）たいです。 (I want to ask the teacher to tell me how to read this kanji.)
教えてあげる
教えてくれる
教えてもらう
教えていただく
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