Translation guide
The English verb "get" has many meanings. This guide organizes the most common ones for learners, from receiving and obtaining to becoming, understanding, and causing. Japanese uses different verbs and constructions depending on the meaning.
Expressing that someone receives something from someone else.
The most common verb for receiving something from someone. The giver is marked with に or から.
I got a present from my friend.
Humble form of もらう. Use when the giver is of higher status or in formal situations.
I got a book from my teacher.
Literally 'receive', often used for physical items, messages, or formal receipt.
I got your email.
Expressing that someone obtains or acquires something, often through effort.
To get something one wanted, often after effort. Used for both concrete and abstract things.
I finally got the tickets.
Formal/literary verb for gaining or obtaining, often used with abstract nouns like knowledge or permission.
Formal term for obtaining items, often used in business or official contexts.
We obtained the materials.
Expressing that someone buys something.
Expressing a change of state, often with adjectives.
Expressing that someone understands or catches something.
The most common verb for understanding. The thing understood is marked with が.
Did you get the meaning?
More formal, often used for deeper understanding.
I can't get his feelings.
To get something intuitively, often used for jokes or hints. Literally 'come with a ping'.
I didn't get that joke.
Expressing arrival at a place.
Expressing causation or getting someone to do something.
To get someone to do something for you, implying a favor. The doer is marked with に.
I got my friend to help me.
Causative form, can mean 'make/let someone do'. Can sound forceful if not careful.
Can sound like forcing someone; use 〜てもらう for polite requests.
I got my child to clean the room.
Expressing going to get something and bringing it back.
English 'get' is extremely versatile, but Japanese uses different verbs for each meaning. Avoid trying to find a single Japanese equivalent. Instead, identify the specific meaning and use the appropriate verb or pattern.
This is slangy and only used in limited contexts like catching Pokémon or getting a rare item.
These three verbs are used for giving and receiving, but the direction differs. もらう means 'receive' (from the receiver's perspective), くれる means 'give to me/in-group' (from the giver's perspective), and あげる means 'give to others'. For 'get', もらう is usually the best fit.
My friend gave me a present. (focus on giver)
I got a present from my friend. (focus on receiver)
I got a letter from her.
I don't get it.
You need to get permission.
I want to become a doctor.
傘を持ってきて。
Get me an umbrella.