The Japanese verb もらう means “to receive.” While it can describe receiving a physical object, it can also be used to describe receiving the benefit of someone else’s action. By attaching もらう to the て-form of another verb, ～てもらう expresses that you have someone do something for you or receive someone’s help or favor.
～てもらう
Have someone do something for you / Receive the benefit of someone’s action
JLPT Level: N4
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How to Use It
To form ～てもらう, put the action someone performs into its て-form and add もらう. The basic idea is similar to receiving an object with もらう. Instead of receiving a thing, however, the speaker receives an action or favor.
The person performing the action is commonly marked with に. The subject of the sentence is the person receiving the benefit, even though another person actually performs the action.
Usage Pattern
[Person] に + [Verb in て-form] + もらう
Example 1
先生に日本語を教えてもらいました。
せんせい に にほんご を おしえて もらいました。
Sensei ni Nihongo o oshiete moraimashita.
I had my teacher teach me Japanese.
Example 2
友だちに写真を撮ってもらいました。
ともだち に しゃしん を とって もらいました。
Tomodachi ni shashin o totte moraimashita.
I had my friend take a picture for me.
Example 3
父に空港まで送ってもらいました。
ちち に くうこう まで おくって もらいました。
Chichi ni kūkō made okutte moraimashita.
I had my father take me to the airport.
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