Processing keyword: Verb て もらう (Verb-te morau)

Japanese Grammar Point: Verb て もらう (Verb-te morau)

1. Introduction

Welcome to this lesson on the Japanese grammar point Verb て もらう (Verb-te morau). This structure is commonly used to express receiving a favor or service from someone. Understanding how to use Verb-te morau will enhance your ability to describe situations where someone does something beneficial for you, which is a vital aspect of communicating in Japanese.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

Verb て もらう is used when the speaker (or the subject) receives the favor of someone performing an action for them. It emphasizes the benefit or help that the subject gains from someone else's action.

• English Equivalent: "have someone do something for you" or "get someone to do something"

Structure

The basic structure is:

• [Person] に [Verb in て-form] + もらう

Formation Diagram

Visual Aid

Here's how the structure fits into a sentence:

[私は] 友だちに 日本語を 教えて (Verb て-form) もらいました。
   ↓         ↓         ↓                 ↓
Subject   Person に    Object        Verb て-form + もらう

Example Breakdown:

• 友だちに: from a friend
• 日本語を: Japanese language (object)
• 教えてもらいました: received the favor of teaching

Polite Forms

To adjust politeness levels:

• Casual: もらう
  • 友だちに手伝ってもらう。
• Polite: もらいます
  • 友だちに手伝ってもらいます。
• Past Tense: もらった / もらいました
  • 友だちに手伝ってもらった。
  • 友だちに手伝ってもらいました。

3. Comparative Analysis

It's important to distinguish Verb て もらう from similar expressions:

• もらう: Focuses on receiving a favor.
• くれる: Focuses on someone generously doing something for you.
• あげる: Focuses on giving a favor to someone.

4. Examples in Context

Example Sentences

1. Receiving Help (Informal)

Japanese: 母に宿題を手伝ってもらった。 Romaji: Haha ni shukudai o tetsudatte moratta. English: "I got my mother to help me with my homework."

2. Professional Assistance (Formal)

Japanese: 弁護士に書類を準備してもらいます。 Romaji: Bengoshi ni shorui o junbi shite moraimasu. English: "I will have a lawyer prepare the documents for me."

3. Polite Request (Asking a Favor)

Japanese: 写真を撮ってもらえませんか。 Romaji: Shashin o totte moraemasen ka. English: "Could you please take a picture for me?"

4. Expressing Gratitude (Formal)

Japanese: 同僚に仕事を引き受けてもらって、助かりました。 Romaji: Dōryō ni shigoto o hikiukete moratte, tasukarimashita. English: "I was saved by having my colleague take over the work for me."

5. Negotiation (Casual)

Japanese: 友だちにチケットを買ってもらう予定だ。 Romaji: Tomodachi ni chiketto o katte morau yotei da. English: "I'm planning to have my friend buy the tickets for me."

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Respect and Humility: Using もらう shows appreciation for someone's effort, aligning with Japanese values of humility and gratitude.
• Indirectness: Japanese often prefer indirect requests; using Verb て もらえますか softens the request.

Levels of Politeness and Formality

• Casual Speech: Used among friends and family.
  • 手伝ってもらえる？ (Can you help me?)
• Polite Speech: Used in formal situations.
  • 手伝ってもらえますか。 (Could you help me?)

Idiomatic Expressions

• Verb て もらってもいいですか
  • Used to ask permission or a favor politely.
  • 道を教えてもらってもいいですか。
  • "Would you mind telling me the way?"

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

Mistake 1: Using Wrong Particle

• Incorrect: 先生から教えてもらいました。
• Correct: 先生に教えてもらいました。
  • Tip: Use に, not から, to mark the person doing the action.

Mistake 2: Confusing with Verb て くれる

• Remember that もらう focuses on the receiver (the speaker), while くれる focuses on the giver.
  • もらう Example: 私は友だちに本を貸してもらった。 (I got my friend to lend me a book.)
  • くれる Example: 友だちが本を貸してくれた。 (My friend lent me a book.)

Mistake 3: Forgetting to Use て-form

• Incorrect: 手伝うもらいます。
• Correct: 手伝ってもらいます。
  • Tip: Always conjugate the verb to its て-form before adding もらう.

Learning Strategies

• Practice Conjugation: Regularly practice converting verbs to their て-form.
• Role Play: Create dialogues where you ask for favors using Verb て もらう.
• Visual Associations: Associate もらう with receiving to remember its usage.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• Verb て もらう is used to express receiving the favor of someone doing something for you.
• The person performing the action is marked with に.
• Always use the て-form of the verb before もらう.
• Differentiate between もらう, くれる, and あげる to avoid misunderstandings.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Question: How do you express "I had my friend help me" using Verb て もらう? Answer: 友だちに手伝ってもらった。
2. Question: Which particle is used with the person who does the action in Verb て もらう? Answer: に
3. Question: What is the main difference between Verb て もらう and Verb て あげる? Answer: もらう focuses on receiving a favor from someone, whereas あげる focuses on giving a favor to someone.

By mastering Verb て もらう, you'll enhance your ability to communicate favors and express gratitude in Japanese, making your interactions more natural and culturally appropriate.