Translation guide
The English verb "receive" covers getting something from someone, often with a nuance of formality or passivity. In Japanese, the most natural way to express this depends on the direction of giving and receiving, the relationship between the people involved, and the level of politeness. The core verbs are もらう (receive from an equal or lower), いただく (humble receive from a superior), and くれる (someone gives to me/us). For passive receiving of actions, the passive form is used. This guide breaks down the key patterns.
To get a tangible item from another person, where the giver is of equal or lower status, or the situation is neutral.
The most common and neutral verb for receiving something from someone. The giver is marked with に or から. Use this when the giver is a friend, family member, or someone of equal/lower status.
I received a present from my friend.
The humble form of もらう. Use this when receiving something from a superior, a customer, or someone you want to show respect to. It elevates the giver.
Literally 'take and receive', emphasizing the physical act of accepting something. Often used for deliveries, formal handovers, or when the focus is on the recipient's action.
A formal, business-like term for receiving, often used in official documents or receipts.
We have received the goods. (formal)
When the giver is 'me' or someone in my group, and the receiver is 'you' or someone else. English 'receive' is not used this way; instead, Japanese uses あげる (give) from the giver's perspective. This is included because learners often mistakenly use もらう here.
Japanese giving/receiving verbs are perspective-sensitive. If you want to say 'You received a gift from me', it is more natural to say 'I gave you a gift' using あげる. Using もらう would imply someone else gave it to you.
Do not use もらう when the giver is yourself or your in-group. It sounds unnatural or changes the meaning.
To have someone do something for you as a favor. English often uses 'get someone to do' or 'have someone do', but Japanese uses the ～てもらう construction.
Attach to the te-form of a verb to mean 'have someone do something for me/us'. The person doing the favor is marked with に. Implies gratitude.
To get non-physical things like news, approval, medical care, or an impression.
A versatile verb for receiving abstract things: education, treatment, influence, permission, etc. Often used in compound nouns.
To get a phone call, email, letter, or broadcast.
To welcome or admit someone into a place.
To welcome or receive a guest. Often used for picking someone up or greeting them.
To be on the receiving end of something negative or impactful.
Used for receiving blows, shocks, damage, or influence.
In English, you can say 'He received a gift from me.' In Japanese, it is unnatural to use もらう when the giver is yourself or your in-group. Instead, use あげる (give) from your perspective: 私が彼にプレゼントをあげた (I gave him a present).
Both can be translated as 'receive' in English, but they have different perspectives. もらう focuses on the receiver (I receive from someone), while くれる focuses on the giver (someone gives to me). Use もらう when the receiver is the subject, and くれる when the giver is the subject and the receiver is 'me' or 'us'.
My friend gave me a present. (focus on friend's action)
I received a letter from her.
I received a letter from him.
先生に本をいただきました。
I received a book from my teacher. (humble)
We received a souvenir from the customer. (humble)
荷物を受け取りました。
I received the package.
To receive a certificate.
I gave you a present. (Not: You received a present from me.)
I got my friend to help me with my homework.
I had him drive me home.
Humble version of ～てもらう. Use when the person doing the favor is a superior or someone you respect.
I had my teacher write a recommendation letter for me. (humble)
This means 'someone does something for me/us' and focuses on the giver's action. It is often translated as 'receive' in English when the subject is the recipient, but in Japanese the subject is the giver. Use this when you want to emphasize the kindness of the giver.
My mother made me a lunch. (lit. My mother gave me the favor of making lunch.)
Means 'to obtain, to get'. Often used for knowledge, information, or opportunities. More formal than 受ける in some contexts.
To accept or receive something willingly, like advice, a proposal, or a new idea.
I accepted his proposal.
Can also be used for receiving messages or letters, emphasizing the act of getting them.
I received a message from him.
Casual way to say you got a message or call, especially from a friend.
I got a call from my girlfriend.
To receive a guest.
To accept or admit someone, like a new member or refugee.
To accept/receive refugees.
To receive a shock.
To suffer damage.
A rough, colloquial verb for receiving a punch, scolding, or something unpleasant.
I took a punch.
I received a present from my friend. (focus on my receiving)
To express that you received a favor (someone did something for you), use the te-form + もらう. This is very common and natural. The person doing the favor is marked with に.
We received a warm welcome.
He received a shock.