Japanese for English speakers Office · Lesson 3
Past tense
Master the past tense in Japanese — 〜ました for receiving (もらいました) and giving to others (あげました). Note: あげる is never used to mean 'give me'.
Conversation
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Bob
この書類は誰にもらいましたか？
kono shorui wa dare ni moraimashita ka?
Who did you receive this document from?
Tip: <dare> = who, which person <moraimasu> = to receive, to obtain
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Rose
店長にもらいました
tenchō ni moraimashita
I received it from the manager
Tip: <ni> = in this context this particle indicates the person from which you received something.
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Bob
どうしてローズさんだけにあげましたか？
dōshite rōzu san dake ni agemashita ka?
Why were you, Rose, the only one who received it?
Tip: <dōshite> = why, for what reason <dake> = only <agemasu> = to give to others (not used to say "give me")
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Rose
昨日遅くまで残業しましたから
kinō osoku made zangyō shimashita kara
Because I worked overtime until very late yesterday
Tip: <osoku> = late <zangyō> = overtime work <zangyō shimasu> = to work over time