〜てもらう expresses receiving a favor or benefit from someone else's action. It emphasizes that you are the beneficiary of what someone did for you.
The person doing the action is marked with に, and the action uses the て-form followed by もらう.
Asking for favors - When you request someone to do something for you
Expressing gratitude - When describing a favor you received
I had my friend help me with my homework.
Could you explain it to me?
Compare with 〜てくれる which also means receiving a favor, but focuses on the giver's kindness rather than your benefit as the receiver.
Person doing favor marked with に
- ✅ 友達に手伝ってもらった
- ❌ 友達を手伝ってもらった
てもらう vs てくれる
- てもらう = I received (focus on receiver)
- てくれる = they gave (focus on giver's kindness)
もらえますか for polite requests
I had my friend help me with my homework.
Could you explain it to me?
I had my mom drive me to the station.
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