Processing keyword: ～に もらいます (〜ni moraimasu)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～に もらいます (〜ni moraimasu)

1. Introduction

In daily Japanese conversation, expressing the act of receiving something from someone is essential. The grammar point ～に もらいます (〜ni moraimasu) allows speakers to articulate this action clearly and politely. This lesson will delve into the usage of ～に もらいます, helping you understand how to properly receive gifts, favors, or items in Japanese.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

～に もらいます (〜ni moraimasu) means "to receive (something) from someone". It emphasizes the receiver's perspective in the action of receiving.

Structure

[Receiver] は [Giver] に [Object] を もらいます

• [Receiver] は: The person who receives (often the speaker)
• [Giver] に: The person from whom something is received
• [Object] を: The item being received
• もらいます: The verb "to receive" in polite form

Formation Diagram

Part	Function	Example
Receiver は	Subject (who receives)	私は (I)
Giver に	Source (from whom)	友だちに (from a friend)
Object を	Object (what is received)	プレゼントを (a present)
もらいます	Verb (receive)	もらいます
Full Sentence Example:

私は 友だちに プレゼントを もらいます。
(I receive a present from a friend.)

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3. Comparative Analysis

Comparing Similar Grammar Points

～に もらいます vs. ～から もらいます

• ～に もらいます
  • Used when the giver is a person.
  • Emphasizes the direct person from whom you receive.
• ～から もらいます
  • Can be used with people or organizations.
  • Slightly more formal or written. Example:
• 先生に 本を もらいました。
  • Sensei ni hon o moraimashita.
  • "I received a book from the teacher."
• 会社から 賞金を もらいました。
  • Kaisha kara shōkin o moraimashita.
  • "I received prize money from the company."

くれます vs. もらいます

• くれます
  • The giver gives something to the speaker (receiver's perspective).
  • The giver is the subject.
• もらいます
  • The receiver receives something from the giver.
  • The receiver is the subject. Example:
• 友だちが 私に プレゼントを くれました。
  • Tomodachi ga watashi ni purezento o kuremashita.
  • "A friend gave me a present."
• 私は 友だちに プレゼントを もらいました。
  • Watashi wa tomodachi ni purezento o moraimashita.
  • "I received a present from a friend."

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4. Examples in Context

Formal Speech

1. 私は 部長に ペンを もらいました。
   • Watashi wa buchō ni pen o moraimashita.
   • "I received a pen from the department manager."
2. 彼女は 先生に アドバイスを もらいました。
   • Kanojo wa sensei ni adobaisu o moraimashita.
   • "She received advice from her teacher."

Informal Speech

1. 兄に 古いパソコンを もらった。
   • Ani ni furui pasokon o moratta.
   • "I got an old computer from my older brother."
2. 友だちに コンサートのチケットを もらったよ。
   • Tomodachi ni konsāto no chiketto o moratta yo.
   • "I got concert tickets from a friend."

Spoken Language

1. 昨日、上司に褒められたし、プレゼントももらった！
   • Kinō, jōshi ni homeraretashi, purezento mo moratta!
   • "Yesterday, my boss praised me and I even got a present!"
2. お母さんにお小遣いをもらったんだ。
   • Okaasan ni okodzukai o morattan da.
   • "I got some allowance from my mom."

Written Language

1. 私は 市役所に 証明書を もらいました。
   • Watashi wa shiyakusho ni shōmeisho o moraimashita.
   • "I received a certificate from the city hall."
2. 学生たちは 講師に 修了証を もらいました。
   • Gakuseitachi wa kōshi ni shūryōshō o moraimashita.
   • "The students received completion certificates from the lecturer."

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• In Japan, the act of giving and receiving is accompanied by expressions of gratitude and humility.
• Using もらいます reflects the receiver's appreciation of the giver's kindness.

Politeness and Formality

• もらいます is polite; to be more humble, you can use いただきます.
  • Example: 社長に お土産を いただきました。
    • Shachō ni omiyage o itadakimashita.
    • "I humbly received a souvenir from the company president."

Idiomatic Expressions

• 恩をもらう
  • On o morau
  • "To receive a favor" (implies a debt of gratitude)
• 知恵をもらう
  • Chie o morau
  • "To receive wisdom/advice"

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Mixing up particles:
   • Incorrect: 私は 友だち*から プレゼントを あげました。*
     • Using から with あげました (to give) is incorrect here.
   • Correct: 私は 友だち*に プレゼントを あげました。*
     • に is used with あげます (to give), indicating the receiver.
2. Confusing verbs:
   • Incorrect: 私は 先生に 宿題を あげました。
     • Using あげました implies you gave homework to the teacher.
   • Correct: 私は 先生に 宿題を もらいました。
     • Using もらいました correctly indicates you received homework from the teacher.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device:
  • "に" with もらいます: Think of "Ni" as "Need" – you need to know who you received from.
• Particle Focus:
  • Remember that に indicates the source/giver with もらいます.
  • を always marks the object being received.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～に もらいます is used to express receiving something from someone.
• Structure: [Receiver] は [Giver] に [Object] を もらいます.
• Be mindful of particles:
  • に indicates the giver.
  • を indicates the object.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Fill in the blanks with the correct particle: 私は 友だち___ 手紙を もらいました。
   Answer

   **に**
2. Translate into Japanese: "She received flowers from her mother."
   Answer

   **彼女は お母さんに 花を もらいました。** *Kanojo wa okaasan ni hana o moraimashita.*
3. True or False: In the sentence 私は 先生に ペンを もらいました, 先生 is the receiver.
   Answer

   **False** **先生** is the giver; **私は** is the receiver.

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By mastering ～に もらいます, you enhance your ability to express receiving actions politely and accurately in Japanese, deepening your conversational skills and cultural understanding.

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