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JLPT N4Giving & Receiving

てもらう— Getting/Having Someone Do a Favor (Received)

An inward-favor pattern where YOU receive an action, usually one you asked for. You are the main subject: 'I had/got someone do X for me.'

Grammar path · 練習

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A short lesson: the pattern, its sentence anatomy, a quick quiz and a sentence to build.

Pro lessonUNIT 75 · GIVING & RECEIVING

Structure · 形

[私 (etc.)] は [Benefactor] に [Verb te-form] + もらう

Examples · 例文

  • 医者に薬を出してもらった。

    Isha ni kusuri o dashite moratta.

    I got the doctor to prescribe me medicine.

    医者に (from the doctor) + 出して + もらった (I received the favor)

  • 山田さんに教えてもらった。

    Yamada-san ni oshiete moratta.

    I had Yamada-san teach me.

    山田さんに + 教えて + もらった = I am the subject receiving the lesson

  • 安くしてもらったよ！

    Yasuku shite moratta yo!

    I got them to give me a discount!

    安くして + もらった = actively obtained a benefit

Usage notes · 注意

  • The Subject Swap: in a 〜てくれる sentence the HELPER is the subject (先生が教えてくれた). In 〜てもらう, YOU are the subject (私は先生に教えてもらった), focusing on your receiving the favor.
  • The に particle marks the person the favor came from.
  • Use this especially when you specifically asked for the help.

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones てもらう is tested against.

vsてくれる

Same inward favor, different subject: てくれる spotlights the giver acting for me; てもらう spotlights me receiving (and often requesting) it.

vsてもらいたい / てほしい

Those state the WISH for a favor (I want you to do X); てもらう states the favor was (or is) actually received.

More giving & receiving

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