JLPT N5 grammar
もらう — Meaning & Examples
To receive. Giver marked with に or から.
もらう — I Receive
もらう = YOU receive from someone. Giver marked with に or から.
わたしはともだちにプレゼントをもらいました。
— I received a present from my friend.
もらう vs くれる:
ともだちがくれた = My friend gave me (focus on friend)
ともだちにもらった = I received from friend (focus on me)
Both correct — もらう is slightly more common.
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on もらう. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Which verb means "I give to someone"?
- あげる (ageru)
- くれる (kureru)
- もらう (morau)
- できる (dekiru)
Show answer
Answer: あげる (ageru)
あげる = I give to someone (away from me).
2. "せんせいにもらった" means?
- I gave to teacher
- I received from teacher
- Teacher gave me
- Teacher received
Show answer
Answer: I received from teacher
もらう = to receive. せんせいにもらった = received from teacher.
3. Which shows giving TOWARD the speaker?
- あげる (ageru)
- くれる (kureru)
- もらう (morau)
- Both B and C
Show answer
Answer: くれる (kureru)
くれる shows giving toward me/my group.
Practise もらう in the free app
This point is part of the “Giving and Receiving” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N5 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N5 grammar points
From the same lesson: Giving and Receiving
Frequently asked questions
What does もらう mean?
To receive. Giver marked with に or から.
Is もらう on the JLPT N5 test?
もらう is taught in the JLPT N5 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Giving and Receiving”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise もらう?
Open the “Giving and Receiving” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N5 mock exams, with no ads.