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Tag: polite requests in Japanese
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How to Use 〜てもらう | My Language Classes
The Japanese Grammar 〜てもらう
The Japanese grammar pattern 〜てもらう is an essential structure used to express receiving a favor from someone. It emphasizes that someone is doing something beneficial for the speaker or a third party. Understanding this grammar is crucial for natural and polite Japanese communication.
This post will explain 〜てもらう in various situations, provide example sentences, and list common contexts where it is used.
Structure of 〜てもらう
The pattern follows this structure:
Person A (receiver) + は/が + Person B (doer) + に + Verb in 〜て form + もらう
- A is the person who benefits from the action.
- B is the person performing the action for A.
- The verb is conjugated into the て-form and followed by もらう (to receive).
Example:
- 私は先生に日本語を教えてもらいました。
(I had my teacher teach me Japanese.)
Difference Between 〜てもらう and 〜てあげる
- 〜てもらう: Focuses on the receiver of the favor.
- 〜てあげる: Focuses on the giver of the favor.
Example:
- 私は先生に日本語を教えてもらいました。 (I received Japanese lessons from my teacher.)
- 私は先生に日本語を教えてあげました。 (I taught Japanese to my teacher.)
Various Situations Where 〜てもらう Is Used
1. Receiving Help
When someone helps you with a task or does something for your benefit.
Example:
- 私は彼氏に財実を送ってもらいました。
(I had my boyfriend send my wallet.)
2. Receiving Permission
Used when asking for permission to do something.
Example:
- 先生にはやく帰らせてもらいました。
(I got permission from my teacher to leave early.)
3. Receiving a Favor Indirectly
You receive a favor, but a third party performs the action.
Example:
- 母は先生にむすこの学校の事を説明してもらいました。
(My mother had the teacher explain about the school to her.)
4. Making Polite Requests
When requesting someone to do something politely.
Example:
- この文章を正しく直してもらえますか。
(Could you please correct this text for me?)
5. Receiving Information
When someone shares knowledge or guidance.
Example:
- 先生にいろいろな情報を教えてもらいました。
(I received a lot of information from my teacher.)
6. Asking for Medical Assistance
Used when getting treatment or medical help from someone.
Example:
- 医者に病治をしてもらいました。
(I got treated by the doctor.)
7. Receiving a Physical Object
Used when someone gives you something.
Example:
- 友人に好きな本を買ってもらいました。
(My friend bought me a book I like.)
8. Receiving Guidance or Instructions
Used when someone teaches you or gives instructions.
Example:
- 先生に作文の書き方を教えてもらいました。
(I had my teacher teach me how to write essays.)
Summary of Situations Where 〜てもらう Is Used
Here’s a quick reference list:
- Receiving help (task-related support)
- Receiving permission
- Receiving a favor indirectly
- Making polite requests
- Receiving information or knowledge
- Asking for medical assistance
- Receiving a physical object
- Receiving guidance or instructions
Conclusion
〜てもらう is a crucial grammar point in Japanese, allowing you to express receiving favors, help, or benefits from others. Mastering this structure enhances your ability to communicate politely and effectively in various situations. Practice using it in conversations to improve fluency and comprehension!
If you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out more posts like this on my blog at My Language Classes. Don’t forget to subscribe my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram for the latest language learning tips and lessons. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts, or ask any questions you have about nouns.
Happy learning! 😊
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Making Suggestions and Polite Requests ましょう and てください in Japanese | My Language Classes
Mastering Polite Suggestions and Requests in Japanese
If you’re learning Japanese, understanding how to make polite suggestions and requests is a key part of effective communication. Whether you’re planning activities with friends or politely asking for help, two common expressions—Verb stem + ましょう and Verb stem + てください—are your go-to tools. Let’s dive into their usage, including how to form them step by step.
1. Making Suggestions with ましょう (mashou): “Let’s [verb]”
The expression ましょう is a polite and versatile way to suggest an activity or propose an idea. It carries a collaborative tone, meaning “Let’s do [verb].”
How to Form the ましょう Form
Japanese verbs are divided into three groups, and the method for creating the ましょう form depends on the group.
Group 1: U-Verbs (Godan Verbs)
- Start with the stem of the verb (remove the u-ending).
- Replace the u sound with the i sound.
- Add ましょう.
Verb Stem Change to i Form Add ましょう Example Translation 行く 行 行き 行きましょう Let’s go. 書く 書 書き 書きましょう Let’s write. 話す 話 話し 話しましょう Let’s talk.
Group 2: Ru-Verbs (Ichidan Verbs)
- Remove the final る.
- Add ましょう.
Verb Stem Add ましょう Example Translation 食べる 食べ 食べましょう Let’s eat. 見る 見 見ましょう Let’s look.
Group 3: Irregular Verbs
There are two irregular verbs, and their ましょう forms are as follows:
Verb Change to Stem Add ましょう Example Translation する し しましょう Let’s do it. 来る (kuru) 来 (ki) 来ましょう Let’s come.
When to Use ましょう
- Planning with others:
Example: 公園へ行きましょう！(Kōen e ikimashou!) = Let’s go to the park! - Encouraging teamwork:
Example: 一緒に勉強しましょう。(Issho ni benkyou shimashou.) = Let’s study together.
The tone is polite, making it suitable for formal and casual settings, as long as it’s a group-oriented activity.
2. Making Requests with てください (tekudasai): “Please [verb]”
Before diving into てください, we need to understand how to form the te-form of verbs. The te-form is one of the most fundamental conjugations in Japanese grammar and is used in various contexts beyond requests, such as making commands, linking actions, and creating the polite request structure てください.
How to Make the Te-Form
Japanese verbs are categorized into three groups, and the rules for forming the te-form differ depending on the group.
Group 1: U-Verbs (Godan Verbs)
For verbs ending in う, つ, る, む, ぶ, ぬ, く, ぐ, す, follow these rules:
- Replace the final u-sound with its corresponding te-form sound:
Ending Te-Form Rule Example う Replace with って 買う (kau) → 買って (katte) = Buy つ Replace with って 立つ (tatsu) → 立って (tatte) = Stand る Replace with って 取る (toru) → 取って (totte) = Take む Replace with んで 読む (yomu) → 読んで (yonde) = Read ぶ Replace with んで 遊ぶ (asobu) → 遊んで (asonde) = Play ぬ Replace with んで 死ぬ (shinu) → 死んで (shinde) = Die く Replace with いて 書く (kaku) → 書いて (kaite) = Write ぐ Replace with いで 泳ぐ (oyogu) → 泳いで (oyoide) = Swim す Replace with して 話す (hanasu) → 話して (hanashite) = Speak
Group 2: Ru-Verbs (Ichidan Verbs)
For verbs ending in る, simply drop る and add て:
- 食べる (taberu) → 食べて (tabete) = Eat.
- 見る (miru) → 見て (mite) = Look.
Group 3: Irregular Verbs
There are only two irregular verbs in Japanese:
- する → して = Do.
Example: 勉強する (benkyou suru) → 勉強して (benkyou shite) = Study. - 来る (kuru) → 来て (kite) = Come.
Forming てください
Once you have the te-form of a verb, simply add ください to make a polite request:
- 見る (miru) → 見て (mite) + ください = 見てください (mite kudasai) = Please look.
- 書く (kaku) → 書いて (kaite) + ください = 書いてください (kaite kudasai) = Please write.
- 手伝う (tetsudau) → 手伝って (tetsudatte) + ください = 手伝ってください (tetsudatte kudasai) = Please help.
When to Use It
- Asking politely:
Example: ちょっと待ってください。(Chotto matte kudasai.) = Please wait a moment. - Giving instructions:
Example: ドアを閉めてください。(Doa o shimete kudasai.) = Please close the door.
This phrase is polite and commonly used in both formal and informal situations.
Key Differences Between ましょう and てください
Expression Purpose Tone Verb stem + ましょう Suggestion: “Let’s do [verb]” Collaborative and inclusive Verb stem + てください Request: “Please do [verb]” Respectful and polite
Quick Practice: Try It Out!
Let’s put these into practice. Can you guess the correct form for each scenario?
- You’re suggesting to a friend: “Let’s watch a movie.”
Hint: The verb is 見る (miru).
Answer: 映画を見ましょう！(Eiga o mimashou!) - You’re asking someone politely: “Please listen to me.”
Hint: The verb is 聞く (kiku).
Answer: 私の話を聞いてください。(Watashi no hanashi o kiite kudasai.)
Conclusion
Mastering ましょう and てください opens up a world of polite and smooth communication in Japanese. By understanding these structures—and learning how to form the te-form and ましょう—you can make suggestions, request actions, and navigate various social situations with confidence. Practice them in your daily conversations, and soon they’ll become second nature!
What are your favorite phrases using ましょう or てください? Share them in the comments below! Or, if you have any questions about Japanese grammar, feel free to ask. Let’s keep learning together—日本語を楽しみましょう！(Nihongo o tanoshimimashou!) 😊
If you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out more posts like this on my blog at My Language Classes. Don’t forget to subscribe my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram for the latest language learning tips and lessons. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts, or ask any questions you have about nouns.
Happy learning! 😊