てもらう

てもらう says someone does something for you, told from your side: "I had ~ do it", "I got ~ to do it". It follows the て-form. You, the receiver, are the subject and usually go unsaid, and the person who does the favour takes に.

The doer takes に, never が. With が they would be the one receiving the favour.

• × 友達が手伝ってもらった → 友達に手伝ってもらった

てもらう or てくれる

Both describe the same favour. てくれる makes the doer the subject with が; てもらう makes you the subject and puts the doer on に. てもらう often, though not always, suggests you asked for it.

Asking with てもらえますか

The potential てもらえる turns it into a request: "could I have you ~?". The negative question てもらえませんか is softer still.

Register

With someone above you, use the humble ていただく in place of てもらう, and ていただけますか to ask.

Usage notes

These go beyond a favour received.

Wanting it done

てもらいたい says you want someone to do something for you.

から for the doer

When what you get is passed on to you – something taught, something sent – the doer can take から as well as に.