Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N4 · Beginner 2
もらいますmoraimasu
receive: get from someone
Use 「もらいます」 to describe receiving something from someone, with the receiver as the viewpoint.
How it works
Mom gives a book, and it reaches 「私」. Use 「もらいます」 when you receive something.
Describe the scene from the receiver’s point of view. 「私は」 tells us that I am the one receiving the book.
「母に」 tells us who the item comes from. With 「もらいます」, 「に」 marks the giver.
「本を」 tells us what was received. Put the item before 「を」 to say what you received.
To ask who gave the gift, use 「誰に」. Answer with 「友達に」, for example, to name the giver.
To ask what was received, use 「何を」. In your answer, put an item such as 「ぬいぐるみ」 before 「を」.
In 「母は父に…もらいました」, Mom receives the gift and Dad gives it.
In 「私はこの本を母に…」, 「母に」 means the book was received from Mom. The book moves from Mom → me.
Compare the 「あげます」 you learned earlier: 「母にあげます」 means me → Mom; 「母にもらいます」 means Mom → me.
Example sentences
- 母hahaはwa父chichiにniプレゼントpurezentoをoもらいました。moraimashita
My mother received a present from my father.
- 私
In a conversation
- A誰にプレゼントをもらいましたか。
A: Who did you receive a present from?
- B友達にもらいました。
B: I received it from a friend.
- A
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
I received a present from my friend.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
姉は父から時計を 。
My older sister received a watch from my father.
More grammar in this theme
- もらいますreceive: get from someone