Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing the act of receiving something involves specific verbs that depend on the direction of giving and the social relationship between the giver and receiver. The core verbs are もらう (morau) and いただく (itadaku), but natural expression often requires choosing the right verb based on politeness and perspective.
To express that someone receives a tangible item from another person.
The most common verb for 'receive'. Used when the receiver is the speaker or someone in the speaker's in-group, and the giver is of equal or lower status. The giver is marked with に or から.
友達にプレゼントをもらった。
I received a present from my friend.
彼から手紙をもらいました。
I received a letter from him.
Humble form of もらう. Used when the giver is of higher status (e.g., boss, teacher, customer) or to show respect. Also used in set phrases like いただきます before meals.
先生に本をいただきました。
I received a book from my teacher. (polite)
お土産をいただいて、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for the souvenir I received.
Means 'to receive' or 'to accept' with a nuance of physically taking something handed over. More formal than もらう and often used in business contexts.
荷物を受け取りました。
I received the package.
Formal, often used in official or business documents to acknowledge receipt of items or money.
商品を確かに受領しました。
We have duly received the goods.
To express that someone receives a beneficial action from another person, often using the -てもらう construction.
Attach to the te-form of a verb to mean 'have someone do something for me/us' or 'get someone to do something'. The giver is marked with に. Implies gratitude or benefit.
友達に宿題を手伝ってもらった。
I had my friend help me with my homework.
母に料理を作ってもらいました。
I got my mother to cook for me.
Humble version of 〜てもらう. Use when the person doing the favor is of higher status or to be polite.
先生に推薦状を書いていただきました。
I had my teacher write a letter of recommendation for me. (polite)
Means 'to be allowed to do something' or 'to have the favor of doing something'. Often used to humbly ask for permission or announce one's actions.
明日休ませてもらえますか。
Could I have the day off tomorrow? (lit. Could I receive the favor of resting?)
Understanding the broader system of giving and receiving verbs (あげる, くれる, もらう) and their polite forms, which are essential for natural Japanese.
Japanese has a three-way distinction: あげる (give from speaker's group to others), くれる (give from others to speaker's group), and もらう (receive from others). The choice depends on who is giving and who is receiving relative to the speaker's in-group/out-group. Polite/humble forms: さしあげる, くださる, いただく.
私は友達に花をあげた。
I gave flowers to my friend.
友達が私に花をくれた。
My friend gave me flowers.
私は友達に花をもらった。
I received flowers from my friend.
Expressing the receipt of non-physical items like advice, permission, or a response.
Can be used for intangible things as well, such as アドバイスをもらう (receive advice) or 許可をもらう (get permission).
上司にアドバイスをもらいました。
I received advice from my boss.
Often used for receiving abstract things like education, influence, or a shock. Common in compounds like 教育を受ける (receive education).
もらう focuses on the receiver (speaker or in-group) as the subject, while くれる focuses on the giver (someone giving to the speaker). Use もらう when you want to emphasize that you received something; use くれる when you want to emphasize that someone gave something to you. Both imply gratitude, but くれる often sounds more grateful because the giver is the subject.
友達が助けてくれた。
My friend helped me (and I'm grateful).
友達に助けてもらった。
I got help from my friend.
English 'receive' can sometimes be used in passive constructions like 'He was received by the audience,' but in Japanese, もらう is not used for passive reception of people. Use 迎えられる (mukaerareru) or other verbs instead.
He received a good education.