Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "もらう", "頂く", "受け取る", "いただく"
All represent the core concept "receive", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
もらう
もらう (morau)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
頂く
いただく (itadaku)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
受け取る
うけとる (uketoru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
いただく
いただく (itadaku)
N4 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "receive" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "もらう", "頂く", "受け取る", "いただく" based on context.
- もらう (もらう (morau) - Level: N5): Maps to "to receive (from someone)" and is used when Used when the speaker or someone in their group receives something from another person. Direction: giver → receiver.
- 頂く (いただく (itadaku) - Level: N4): Maps to "to receive (humble form of もらう); to eat/drink (humble form of 食べる/飲む)" and is used when A humble verb. Used for receiving something from someone, or for eating/drinking something. Always refers to the speaker's action or something benefiting the speaker..
- 受け取る (うけとる (uketoru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to receive, to accept" and is used when Means to take something that is given or sent. It implies physically taking possession. Can also mean to understand or interpret something..
- いただく (いただく (itadaku) - Level: N4): Maps to "to receive (humble form of もらう); to eat/drink (humble form of 食べる/飲む)" and is used when Humble form of もらう.
Context for "もらう"
友達からプレゼントをもらいました。
I received a present from my friend.
Context for "頂く"
先生に本を貸して頂きました。
I received the favor of the teacher lending me a book.
Context for "受け取る"
小包を郵便局で受け取った。
I received the parcel at the post office.
Context for "いただく"
お客様からお土産をいただきました。
I received a souvenir from the customer.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達からプレゼントをもらいました。" (Meaning: "I received a present from my friend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "もらう" is correct here because it represents "to receive (from someone)" in the context: "I received a present from my friend.".