How to Say “To Receive” in Japanese with もらう
Giving is one thing—but what about getting? When you want to say you received something in Japanese, the verb you need is もらう.
In this post, we’ll learn how to use もらう to talk about receiving gifts, help, and more.
もらう
To Receive
JLPT Level: N4
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How to Use It
Use もらう when the subject receives something. The person receiving is marked with は or が, and the person giving is marked with に or から. Use に when the giver is a person and the exchange is more personal. Use から when the giver is an organization or if you want to emphasize the source. The focus is on the benefit coming to the subject. You can also omit the giver if it’s not important or already known.
Usage Pattern
[Receiver] は / が + [Giver] に / から + [Object] を + もらう
Example 1
友だちからチョコレートをもらいました。
ともだち から ちょこれーと を もらいました。
Tomodachi kara chokorēto o moraimashita.
I got chocolate from my friend.
Example 2
先生にアドバイスをもらいました。
せんせい に あどばいす を もらいました。
Sensei ni adobaisu o moraimashita.
I received advice from my teacher.
Example 3
かわいいぬいぐるみをもらった。
かわいい ぬいぐるみ を もらった。
Kawaii nuigurumi o moratta.
I got a cute stuffed toy.