てもらうHave someone do something for you
てもらう presents the subject as receiving or arranging another person's action, usually because that action is helpful or appreciated.
The receiver is the subject
The key is viewpoint. The subject is not the person doing the action; it is the person who receives the favor or arranges for the action to happen. The receiver is often omitted when it is clearly the speaker.
Who does what?
Swipe sideways to compare every column.
| Role | Typical marking | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Receiver or arranger | は or が, or omitted | Receives the benefit and serves as the subject. |
| Doer | に or から | Performs the action received by the subject. |
| Received action | Verb in the て-form | States what the other person does. |
Requests, favors, and arrangements
The construction works for an action you requested, a favor you naturally received, or a service you arranged.
発表の前に、友達に原稿を読んでもらいました。
Before the presentation, I had a friend read my draft.
AnalyzeThe speaker arranged or asked for the friend to read it.
雨だったので、同僚に車で家まで送ってもらいました。
Because it was raining, a coworker gave me a ride home.
AnalyzeThe wording presents the ride as a favor received by the speaker.
引っ越しの前に、業者にエアコンを取り外してもらいました。
Before moving, I had a contractor remove the air conditioner.
AnalyzeA paid professional service can still be presented from the customer's receiving or arranging viewpoint.
Using the source marker
出版社から見本を送ってもらいました。
I had the publisher send me a sample.
AnalyzeHere the publisher is naturally viewed as the source from which the action came.
Receiver viewpoint versus doer viewpoint
てもらう makes the receiver the subject and marks the doer with に or から. By contrast, てくれる describes the same kind of helpful event with the doer as the subject.
More examples
祖母に着物の着方を教えてもらいました。
My grandmother taught me how to put on a kimono.
Analyze妹は父に自分の自転車を直してもらった。
My younger sister had our father fix her bicycle.
Analyze旅行会社にホテルを予約してもらいました。
I had the travel agency book a hotel for me.
Analyze大学から必要な書類を送ってもらいました。
I had the university send me the necessary documents.
Analyze先輩に志望理由書を見てもらった。
I had a senior student look over my statement of purpose.
Analyze店員さんに別のサイズを持ってきてもらいました。
I had the store clerk bring me a different size.
Analyze