Processing keyword: Verb てもらいたい (～te moraitai)

Japanese Grammar Point: Verb てもらいたい (～te moraitai)

Grammar Point: Verb てもらいたい (～te moraitai)

1. Introduction

The phrase てもらいたい (te moraitai) is used when you want to express a desire for someone to do something for you. It is a polite way to ask for a favor or to indicate that you would like assistance from others.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

Meaning: "I want [someone] to [verb]." Structure:

• The structure involves taking the verb in its te-form and adding もらいたい (moraitai).
• The verb must be in the te-form to join with もらいたい.

Structure Breakdown

1. Te-form of the Verb:
   • To form the te-form, you need to know whether the verb is a regular verb (Group 1, 2) or an irregular verb (Group 3).
   • Example:
     • 食べる (taberu – to eat) → 食べて (tabete)
     • 行く (iku – to go) → 行って (itte)
     • する (suru – to do) → して (shite)
2. Adding もらいたい (moraitai):
   • もらう (morau) means "to receive."
   • Adding たい (tai) indicates a desire for it.
   • Thus, もらいたい (moraitai) means "to want to receive."

Formation Diagram

   +-----------------------------+
   | Verb (ます form) → て-form |
   +-----------------------------+
               |
               v
     +---------------------+
     | てもらいたい (te moraitai) |
     +---------------------+

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparison with てくれる (te kureru)

• てもらう (te morau) indicates that you are the one receiving a favor.

• てくれる (te kureru) indicates that someone is doing a favor for you. Example:

• 友達に手伝ってもらいたい。 (Tomodachi ni tetsudatte moraitai.) → I want my friend to help me.

• 友達が手伝ってくれる。 (Tomodachi ga tetsudatte kureru.) → My friend will help me.

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

1. Formal:
   • お願いがあるんですが、レポートを手伝ってもらいたいです。 (Onegai ga arun desu ga, repōto o tetsudatte moraitai desu.) → I have a request; I would like you to help me with my report.
2. Informal:
   • 明日、運転してもらいたい。 (Ashita, untenshite moraitai.) → I want you to drive me tomorrow.
3. Spoken:
   • 友達にこの仕事をやってもらいたいな。 (Tomodachi ni kono shigoto o yatte moraitaina.) → I want my friend to do this job for me.
4. Written:
   • ぜひこの件について教えてもらいたい。 (Zehi kono ken ni tsuite oshiete moraitai.) → I would like you to teach me about this matter.

5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Formality

• The construction of てもらいたい is inherently polite. It shows respect to the person you are asking for a favor.
• Depending on the context, you might want to soften the request further by using ていただきたい (te itadakitai) for even more formal situations, especially in business settings.

Idiomatic Expressions

• どうぞよろしくお願いします。 (Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.) → This is a common phrase used at the end of requests or when introducing oneself, showing that you seek cooperation.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

• Confusing てくれる and てもらう is a common mistake. Remember, てもらう is about wanting a favor, while てくれる is about someone doing a favor for you.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Think of "もらう" as "to receive" and focus on the te-form as the action someone will be doing for you.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• てもらいたい (te moraitai) is used to express a desire for someone to do something for you.
• Always use the te-form of the verb before もらいたい.
• It is considered polite and appropriate in many contexts.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. What does てもらいたい mean in English?
2. How do you form the てもらいたい structure?
3. Provide an example sentence using てもらいたい in a formal context.