〜ていただく

〜ていただく expresses have (humble) someone do. The giving and receiving system (あげる/もらう/くれる) is uniquely important in Japanese, reflecting social relationships, hierarchy, and the direction of benefit. Using the correct form shows awareness of these social dynamics.

This is an intermediate pattern used regularly in everyday Japanese conversation and writing.

When to Use#

• When humbly expressing gratitude for a favor received
• When describing help received from someone in formal language

When NOT to Use#

• In very formal writing where a more sophisticated expression would be expected

Example Sentences#

• この書類を印刷していただけますか。 — Could you please print this document?
• 二名で予約を取っていただけますか。 — Could you please make a reservation for two people?
• 予約の時間を変更していただけますか。 — Could you please change the appointment time?

Practice#

Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:

Common Mistakes#

1. Using 〜ていただく interchangeably with 〜てもらう — These patterns are similar but not identical. 〜てもらう (have someone do (for me)) may be preferred in different contexts or registers.
2. Direct translation from English — The concept expressed by 〜ていただく may not map one-to-one with its English translation. Focus on understanding the Japanese usage through example sentences rather than relying on the English gloss.

Related Patterns#

• 〜ていただける (could you (humble request)) — Similar
• 〜てもらう (have someone do (for me)) — Similar