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fluentbyear

JAPANESE VERB

もらう

to receive

  • #37 most used
  • Godan verb (u-verb)

Conjugation

Tap any form to hear it. The part that changes is in colour.

Present and future

now, habits, and what is to come

Form Polite Plain
AffirmativeI receive
NegativeI don’t receive

Past

finished actions

Form Polite Plain
AffirmativeI received
NegativeI didn’t receive

Te-form

て形 · joining actions, “doing”, requests

Form Polite Plain
て-formreceiving, and…
Doing now (て います)I am receiving
Please (て ください)please receive

Potential

可能形 · “can”

Form Polite Plain
AffirmativeI can receive
NegativeI can’t receive

Want to

たい形 · “want to”

Form Polite Plain
AffirmativeI want to receive
NegativeI don’t want to receive

Volitional

意向形 · “let’s”, “I’ll”

Form Polite Plain
Let’slet’s receive

Conditional

条件形 · “if” and “when”

  1. If (ば) if I receive
  2. If, when (たら) if I receive

Commands and requests

命令形 · from gentle to blunt

  1. Do it (なさい) receive (do it)
  2. Plain command receive!
  3. Please don’t please don’t receive

Passive and causative

受身形・使役形 · “is done”, “make someone do”

Form Polite Plain
PassiveI am received
CausativeI make someone receive

How to use もらう

One sentence for each tense, the way people say it.

  1. Present and future

    まいとし おばあちゃん に おとしだま を もらいます。

    Every year I get New Year's money from my grandmother.

  2. Past

    ゆい に てぶくろ を もらった。

    I got gloves from Yui.

  3. Te-form

    ちず を かいて もらって、 たすかりました。

    Having the map drawn for me was a big help.

  4. Potential

    ここ で パンフレット が もらえます か？

    Can I get a brochure here?

  5. Want to

    たんじょうび に なに を もらいたい？

    What do you want for your birthday?

  6. Volitional

    うけつけ で ちず を もらおう。

    Let's get a map at reception.

  7. Conditional

    レシート を もらえば、 へんぴん できます。

    If you get a receipt, you can return it.

  8. Commands and requests

    せんせい に プリント を もらいなさい。

    Get the handout from the teacher.

  9. Passive and causative

    この こねこ は すぐ もらわれて いきました。

    This kitten was adopted straight away.

Good to know

  • もらう is receiving from someone; て もらう is having someone do something for you: おしえて もらいました, "I had it explained to me".

Where you hear もらう

The lessons that teach a form of it, and how they say it.

Japanese · Beginner Level 2

  • ときどき、 さとう さん に おちゃ を もらいます。 I sometimes receive tea from Mrs. Sato.
  • あおき さん に たまごやき を もらいました。 I got a rolled omelette from Ms. Aoki.
  • あした、 ともだち に ほん を もらいます。 Tomorrow, I'll receive a book from my friend.

Japanese · Beginner Level 3

  • まいとし、 おとしだま を もらいます。 I get New Year money every year.
  • きょう、 おとうさん から おとしだま を もらいました。 Today I got New Year money from Dad.
  • らいねん も おとしだま を もらいます！ I'll get New Year money next year too!
15
Lunch Boxes

Beginner Level 2 · もらいました

Needs a subscription 26
Kenta's Birthday

Beginner Level 2 · もらいました

Needs a subscription 2
Rice Cakes

Beginner Level 3 · もらいます

Free 8
Valentine's Day

Beginner Level 3 · もらった

Needs a subscription 12
A Favour

Intermediate Level 1 · て もらえない？

Needs a subscription 14
A Sign in English

Intermediate Level 1 · もらえる · もらえます

Needs a subscription 9
The Invitations

Intermediate Level 2 · もらう

Needs a subscription

Verbs like this one

The same pattern, on other verbs: godan verb (u-verb).