てもらえませんか

Could You

Level 2Sounds Like temoraemasenka

Use 〜てもらえませんか to politely ask someone to do something for you. It is softer and more indirect than a direct command.

How It Works

1. Function and Nuance
〜てもらえませんか is the standard polite way to make requests in daily life. Because it uses the potential form (もらえる - can receive) and a negative question (ませんか - won't you?), it gives the listener an easy 'out' to say no, which makes the request feel less pushy and more respectful.

2. Formation and Particles
To form this request, take the て form of any verb and add もらえませんか. Unlike 〜てください, the person you are asking to perform the action is marked with the particle に.

  • 田中さんに書いてもらえませんか (Could you [Tanaka-san] write it for me?)
  • 書く（かく）→ 書いて（かいて）→ 書いてもらえませんか (Could you write it for me?)
  • 教える（おしえる）→ 教えて（おしえて）→ 教えてもらえませんか (Could you teach/tell me?)

3. Politeness Level
This pattern is considered Standard Polite (Teineigo). It is perfect for talking to acquaintances, strangers, or colleagues. However, if you are speaking to a boss or a customer, you should use the more formal ていただけませんか.

Examples (4)

  1. すみませんが、この漢字の読み方を教えてもらえませんか。

    Excuse me, could you please tell me how to read this kanji?

    Word by Word: Excuse me, this kanji's reading way, can I not receive the teaching?

    This is a very common way to ask for help with Japanese study from a teacher or friend.

  2. ちょっと手伝ってもらえませんか。

    Could you help me for a moment?

    Word by Word: A little, can I not receive the helping?

    Adding 「ちょっと」 (a little) makes the request sound even softer and less burdensome.

  3. 写真を撮ってもらえませんか。

    Would you mind taking a photo for me?

    Word by Word: Photo, can I not receive the taking?

    This is the standard phrase to use when asking a stranger to take your picture.

  4. 窓を開けてもらえませんか。

    Could you please open the window?

    Word by Word: Window, can I not receive the opening?

    Used when you want someone to perform a simple physical action for you.

Common Mistakes

  • Using it with high-ranking superiors.

    社長、これを読んでもらえませんか。
    社長、これを読んでいただけませんか。

    While not 'rude,' using 〜てもらえませんか with a CEO or high-ranking boss can sound slightly too casual. Use the humble version ていただけませんか instead.

  • Confusing the direction of the favor.

    私が手伝ってもらえませんか。
    手伝いましょうか。

    〜てもらえませんか always means the speaker is RECEIVING the help. If you want to offer help to someone else, use ましょうか (Shall I...?).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

てもらえませんかLevel 2Could You

Learn This First

てもらえませんか is a polite request formed by combining the 'te-form + morau' (receiving an action) structure with the potential form (moraeru) and the polite negative question (masen ka). To understand it, you need to know how to express receiving favors, how to conjugate verbs into the potential form, and how to ask polite negative questions.

Words in This Pattern

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