Receiving a favor with てもらう

The idea

Attach もらう to the て-form. The recipient is the subject and the person performing the action is marked に: 私わたしは友達ともだちに読よんでもらいました. The action is viewed as a benefit.

Examples

• 私わたしは友達ともだちにお茶ちゃを入いれてもらいました。My friend made tea for me.
• 私わたしは友達ともだちに本ほんを読よんでもらいました。My friend read a book to me.
• 私わたしは友達ともだちに道みちを教おしえてもらいました。My friend showed me the way.
• 私わたしは友達ともだちに料理りょうりを作つくってもらいました。My friend cooked for me.
• 私わたしは友達ともだちに荷物にもつを持もってもらいました。My friend carried my luggage for me.
• 私わたしは友達ともだちに歌うたを歌うたってもらいました。My friend sang a song for me.

Watch out

This pattern does not always mean that the recipient explicitly requested the action. For a higher-status giver, the humble form ていただく can be appropriate.

Try it yourself

1. Complete the sentence using てもらう; choose the appropriate form. 私わたしは友達ともだちにお茶ちゃを＿。（入いれてもらいました／入いれてあげました） My friend made tea for me.

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   入れてもらいました

   「入れてもらいました」 — My friend made tea for me. Attach もらう to the て-form. The recipient is the subject and the person performing the action is marked に: 私わたしは友達ともだちに読よんでもらいました. The action is viewed as a benefit.

2. Complete the sentence using てもらう; choose the appropriate form. 私わたしは友達ともだちに本ほんを＿。（読よんでくれました／読よんでもらいました） My friend read a book to me.

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   読んでもらいました

   「読んでもらいました」 — My friend read a book to me. Attach もらう to the て-form. The recipient is the subject and the person performing the action is marked に: 私わたしは友達ともだちに読よんでもらいました. The action is viewed as a benefit.

3. Complete the sentence using てもらう; choose the appropriate form. 私わたしは友達ともだち＿道みちを教おしえてもらいました。（に／を） My friend showed me the way.

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   に

   「に」 — My friend showed me the way. Attach もらう to the て-form. The recipient is the subject and the person performing the action is marked に: 私わたしは友達ともだちに読よんでもらいました. The action is viewed as a benefit.

Use it today

Write two new sentences using てもらう; explain your choices and check them against the table.