～てもらう
To get someone to do, To have someone do
Structure
Explanation
While てくれる focuses on someone doing something for you, てもらう shifts the perspective to you receiving that action. It highlights the benefit you gained from someone else's help. In this pattern, the particle に identifies the person who performed the action, and が (or は) marks the person who received the benefit (the subject).
Common English equivalents for this grammar include 'to have someone do (A)' or 'to get someone to do (A)'. A more literal translation would be 'to receive the favor of someone doing (A)'.
- パソコンの使い方が分からないから、詳しい友達に教えてもらう。I don't understand how to use this computer, so I'm going to get my knowledgeable friend to show me.
- 私は料理が下手なので、母にお弁当を作ってもらう。Since I'm bad at cooking, I have my mother make my packed lunch (for me).
てもらう is the standard way to talk about receiving a professional service. Using てくれる in these situations can sound odd, as it might suggest the service was a personal favor rather than a paid transaction.
- 髪が長くなったから、美容師さんに切ってもらった。My hair got long, so I had a hairdresser cut it.
- 髪が長くなったから美容院に行って、美容師さんが切ってくれた。My hair had gotten long, so I went to the salon, and the hairdresser cut it for me.
Examples
私は友達に本を貸してもらった。
I had my friend lend me a book.
誕生日に新しいパソコンを買ってもらうかもしれない。
I might have (someone) buy me a new computer for my birthday.
(誰かに)この壊れたイスを直してもらう。
I will get someone to fix this broken chair.
ケンジはお兄さんに教えてもらったかもしれない。
Kenji might have had his older brother teach him.
まず重い荷物を運んでもらうと思う。
First, I think I'll have you carry the heavy luggage (for me).
病気の時、ルームメイトに薬を買ってきてもらった。
When I was sick, I had my roommate go buy medicine for me.
あの子はかわいいから、誰にでも欲しいものを買ってもらうことが出る。
That kid is so cute, he can get anyone to buy him whatever he wants.
お腹が空いているだろうから、何か食べてもらってね。
He's probably hungry, so please have him eat something.
難しそうだけど、専門家の方に一度やってもらいましょう。
It seems difficult, but let's have an expert give it a try (for us).
エアコンが故障しました。(誰かに)修理をしてもらってください。
The air conditioner is broken. Please have it repaired (by someone).
パソコンの調子が悪いので、専門家に見てもらいます。
My computer isn't working well, so I'm going to have a specialist look at it for me.
私は方向オンチだから友達が先に歩いて、彼には道を案内してもらった。
I have a terrible sense of direction, so my friend walked ahead and I had him show me the way.