てもらう: the recipient’s point of view

When to use it

私は友達に写真を撮ってもらいました presents me as receiving a favour: my friend pressed the shutter. 友達が写真を撮ってくれました can describe the same favour with a different subject. てもらう does not always prove that an explicit request was made.

Form

Recipient は + person acting に + verb て form + もらう

Check the examples

私は兄に自転車を直してもらいました。 — My older brother fixed my bicycle for me.

先生に作文を見てもらいます。 — I will have the teacher look over my composition.

私は友達に道を教えてもらいました。 — My friend gave me directions.

Watch out

In 私は友達に本を読んでもらった, the friend read the book. Do not automatically treat the overall subject 私 as the actor of the preceding verb.

Try it yourself

These 10 questions practise forms and meaning in context. Check the requested style and how much to enter. Read the explanation after a mistake, then try again with the answer hidden at your next review.