Translation guide
The English verb "get" has many meanings. This guide organizes the most common ones for learners, from receiving and obtaining to becoming, understanding, and causing. Japanese uses different verbs and constructions depending on the meaning.
Expressing that someone receives something from someone else.
The most common verb for receiving something from someone. The giver is marked with に or から.
友達にプレゼントをもらった。
I got a present from my friend.
Humble form of もらう. Use when the giver is of higher status or in formal situations.
先生に本をいただきました。
I got a book from my teacher.
Literally 'receive', often used for physical items, messages, or formal receipt.
メールを受け取りました。
I got your email.
Expressing that someone obtains or acquires something, often through effort.
To get something one wanted, often after effort. Used for both concrete and abstract things.
やっとチケットを手に入れた。
I finally got the tickets.
Formal/literary verb for gaining or obtaining, often used with abstract nouns like knowledge or permission.
許可を得る必要がある。
You need to get permission.
Formal term for obtaining items, often used in business or official contexts.
資料を入手しました。
We obtained the materials.
Expressing that someone buys something.
The standard verb for buying.
コンビニでおにぎりを買った。
I got a rice ball at the convenience store.
Formal term for purchasing, used in business or official contexts.
オンラインで購入できます。
You can get it online.
Expressing a change of state, often with adjectives.
Expressing that someone understands or catches something.
The most common verb for understanding. The thing understood is marked with が.
意味がわかった？
Did you get the meaning?
More formal, often used for deeper understanding.
彼の気持ちを理解できない。
I can't get his feelings.
To get something intuitively, often used for jokes or hints. Literally 'come with a ping'.
そのジョーク、ピンと来なかった。
I didn't get that joke.
Expressing arrival at a place.
Standard verb for arriving. The destination is marked with に.
駅に着いたら電話して。
Call me when you get to the station.
Formal term for arrival, used in announcements or writing.
まもなく到着します。
We will get there shortly.
Expressing causation or getting someone to do something.
To get someone to do something for you, implying a favor. The doer is marked with に.
友達に手伝ってもらった。
I got my friend to help me.
Causative form, can mean 'make/let someone do'. Can sound forceful if not careful.
Can sound like forcing someone; use 〜てもらう for polite requests.
子供に部屋を掃除させた。
I got my child to clean the room.
Expressing going to get something and bringing it back.
To go and get something and come back. Combines 取る (take) and 来る (come).
ちょっと飲み物を取ってくる。
I'll go get a drink.
To bring something. Focuses on the bringing rather than the fetching.
English 'get' is extremely versatile, but Japanese uses different verbs for each meaning. Avoid trying to find a single Japanese equivalent. Instead, identify the specific meaning and use the appropriate verb or pattern.
✕ ゲットする (getto suru)
This is slangy and only used in limited contexts like catching Pokémon or getting a rare item.
These three verbs are used for giving and receiving, but the direction differs. もらう means 'receive' (from the receiver's perspective), くれる means 'give to me/in-group' (from the giver's perspective), and あげる means 'give to others'. For 'get', もらう is usually the best fit.
友達がプレゼントをくれた。
My friend gave me a present. (focus on giver)
私は友達にプレゼントをもらった。
I got a present from my friend. (focus on receiver)
彼女から手紙をもらった。
I got a letter from her.
わからない。
I don't get it.
傘を持ってきて。
Get me an umbrella.