Japanese word

もらう

Pronunciation

Romajimorau

Meaning

  • verbreceive, get

Example

母からお金をもらいます。haha ka ra o kane o mo ra i ma su

I receive money from my mother.

Illustration for もらう (receive)

More examples

友だちからシールをもらいます。tomo da chi ka ra shī ru o mo ra i ma su

I get a sticker from my friend.

友達から誕生日カードをもらいました。tomo dachi ka ra tan jō nichi kā do o mo ra i ma shi ta

I received a birthday card from a friend.

Core concept

It frames something as coming from another person into one's possession or benefit.

Common phrases

  • お金をもらうo kane o mo ra u

    receive money

  • プレゼントをもらうpu re ze n to o mo ra u

    receive a gift

  • 許可をもらうkyo ka o mo ra u

    get permission

Similar words

受け取るuketoru: To accept and take something given by another person.
頂くitadaku: To receive something from another person in a humble or polite way.

Definition in Japanese

人から物や好意などを受け取る。hito ka ra mono ya kō i na do o u ke to ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb もらう (morau, "to receive") has the older form もらふ (morafu), and it is also written 貰う (morau, "to receive").

Usage tips

  • In conversational Japanese, もらう (morau, "to receive") commonly takes に (ni) or から (kara) to mark the person who provides what is received.

Other meanings

  • acceptverb

Opposites

  • あげるagerugiveverb

Related words

  • もらい方moraikataway of receivingnoun

Word lists with this word