Unit 3 - Section 2: 〜てあげる

Practice Quiz

もらう - Receiving (To Receive)

Learn to express the act of receiving using もらう. This is the opposite perspective of giving and is equally important in Japanese.

Basic Pattern

Pattern: [Person] から [Thing] を もらう

もらう = to receive (from someone's perspective receiving from others)

Particle note: から (from) marks the giver

父ちちから本ほんをもらいました。
[Chichi kara hon wo moraimashita]
Translation: I received a book from my father.

Conjugation of もらう

Form Example Translation
Dictionary もらう to receive
ます-form もらいます receive (polite)
Past もらいました received
て-form もらって received (connects)
Negative もらいません don't receive

Receiving WITH an Action

Asking for Help/Favor:

Pattern: [Person] に [Verb て-form] + もらう = "to have someone do something for you"

  • 先生に説明してもらいました。 - "I had the teacher explain it for me."
  • 友達に手伝ってもらう。 - "I'm getting my friend to help me."
  • 母に料理を作ってもらった。 - "My mother cooked for me."

Comparison: あげる vs もらう

あげる (give) もらう (receive)
I give to someone I receive from someone
兄に本をあげた。 兄から本をもらった。
Same action, speaker's perspective Same action, receiver's perspective
Particle に for recipient Particle から for giver
て-form = "do for someone" て-form = "have someone do for me"

Example Sentences

先週せんしゅう誕生日たんじょうびに友達ともだちからプレゼントをもらいました。
[Senshuu no tanjoubi ni tomodachi kara purezento wo moraimashita]
Translation: I received a present from my friend on my birthday last week.
先生せんせいに宿題しゅくだいを手伝てつだってもらいました。
[Sensei ni shukudai wo tetsudatte moraimashita]
Translation: The teacher helped me with my homework.
去年きょねん両親りょうしんから車くるまをもらいました。
[Kyonen ryoushin kara kuruma wo moraimashita]
Translation: I received a car from my parents last year.

Study Tips

Master もらう:
  • Particle から: Always use から for the giver (opposite of あげる)
  • Perspective shift: Use もらう when you are the receiver
  • Action form: ～てもらう = get/have someone do something for you (humble request)
  • Gratitude implication: Using もらう implies gratitude for the help/gift
  • Practical use: "Can you help me?" often becomes ～てもらえますか
Course Navigation
Study Tips
  • Read each example carefully
  • Practice pronunciation aloud
  • Create your own sentences to reinforce memory
  • Finish the section quiz