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