What does it mean word for word?
The phrase これをもらえますか? is composed of kore (this), o (the object marker), moraemasu (the potential form of morau, meaning "to receive") and ka (the question particle).
Which one should you use?
While これをもらえますか? is a standard polite way to ask, これをいただけますか? is a significantly more polite and humble version suitable for high-end shops or formal service settings. For requesting services specifically, you might use お願いできますか? which translates to "May I ask for this?" On the other hand, 貰えますか? is a polite way to ask "Can I receive this?" For casual situations, you can use the informal これ貰っていい? or これもらってもいい? which mean "Can I receive this?" or "Is it okay if I receive this?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
これをいただけますか? is the most formal and humble option. これをもらえますか? and 貰えますか? are polite. For friends or family, you should use the informal これ、もらえる? or これ貰っていい? and これもらってもいい?
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase これをもらえますか?, the verb moraemasu is the polite potential form, which expresses the possibility or ability of receiving something.
How do you pronounce it?
kore o moraemasu ka?
Did you know?
- Depending on the context, asking これをもらえますか? in a restaurant may be interpreted as a request to take your leftovers home in a doggy bag rather than an order for a new dish.
- When using これ ('this') to indicate an object, Japanese speakers typically use a soft, open-handed gesture because pointing with a single finger can be perceived as aggressive.
- If you are at a very high-end restaurant and use これをいただけますか?, you are using 'humble Japanese' (kenjougo), which effectively lowers your own status to show respect to the server.
Examples in context
- これをもらえますか？kore o moraemasu ka?Can I get this?
- すみません、これをもらえますか？sumimasen, kore o moraemasu ka?Excuse me, can I get this?
Example conversation
Yuito and Yui are at a store.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣、これをもらえますか？Yui, kore o moraemasu ka?Yui, can I get this?
- 結衣 Yuiいいよ。どうぞ。ii yo. dōzo.Sure. Go ahead.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう。arigatō.Thank you.
- 結衣 Yuiどういたしまして。dōitashimashite.You're welcome.
