もらえますか
moraemasu ka
In Japanese, "can I get?" is expressed as もらえますか (moraemasu ka).
This phrase is used as a polite way to ask for something or to order an item in a shop or restaurant. When ordering an item, you place the object followed by the particle を before the phrase (e.g., 〜を もらえますか).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the potential form of the verb morau (to receive) and the polite question particle か. The form もらえます means "can receive."
Which one should you use?
While もらえますか asks if it is possible to receive something, making it a more indirect and polite way to ask, the word ください is a more direct request meaning "please give me."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
もらえますか is a polite and standard way to make requests in service settings like restaurants or shops. For a casual version, you can use もらってもいい？ or 取ってもいい？
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase もらえますか is the polite question form of the potential verb moraeru.
How do you pronounce it?
moraemasu ka
Did you know?
- In very formal Japanese, the verb もらう is replaced by いただく to create いただけますか, which expresses a higher level of humility by suggesting the speaker is receiving a favor from a superior.
- Japanese has a concept called 'keigo' (honorific speech) where the phrase もらえますか is carefully chosen to maintain a psychological distance between the customer and the staff, ensuring neither party feels too presumptuous.
- If you use the casual version 取ってもいい？ (can I take/pick up?), you might sound like you are asking for permission to physically grab something yourself. Using もらえますか is safer because it frames the transaction as a polite way of receiving a gift or service.
Examples in context
- お水をお願いできますか？Can I get some water, please?
- これ、お持ち帰りできますか？Can I get this to-go?
- すごくおいしそうなケーキだね。もらってもいい？That cake looks delicious. Can I have some?
- この本、取ってもいい？Can I get this book?
- メニューをもらえますか？Menyuu o moraemasu ka?Can I get a menu?
- 新しいカタログをもらえますか？Atarashii katarogu o moraemasu ka?Can I get a new catalog?
- このクーポンをもらえますか？Kono kuupon o moraemasu ka?Can I get this coupon?
Example conversation
At a cafe, Himari is ordering a drink from Ren.
- 陽葵 Himariアイスコーヒーをもらえますか？Aisu koohii o moraemasu ka?Can I get an iced coffee?
- 蓮 Renはい、かしこまりました。Hai, kashikomarimashita.Yes, certainly.
- 陽葵 Himari砂糖をもらえますか？Satou o moraemasu ka?Can I get some sugar?
- 蓮 Renもちろんです。すぐにお持ちします。Mochiron desu. Sugu ni omochi shimasu.Of course. I will bring it right away.
