The Difference Between「いただきます」と「もらいます」の違い｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

(Joy bowing to boss [Itadakimasu] vs. Joy getting gift from friend [Moraimasu])

“I received a gift from my friend.” vs. “I received a certificate from the President.” Both mean “Receive,” but the level of respect is different. もらいます (Moraimasu) is standard. いただきます (Itadakimasu) is humble (Keigo). Let’s learn the difference with Joy and Ken!

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy is telling Ken about her busy day.

Joy

今日（きょう）は、友達（ともだち）にお菓子（かし）をもらいました。そのあと、社長（しゃちょう）にお土産（みやげ）をいただきました！ (Today, I “received” snacks from a friend. After that, I “humbly received” a souvenir from the Company President!)

Ken

社長からですか？すごいですね！ Joyさんは愛（あい）されていますね。 (From the President? That’s amazing! You are loved, Joy.)

💡 Explanation

It depends on who gave it to you.

Point 1: Moraimasu (もらいます) = Standard

Use this for Equals (Friends, Colleagues) or Juniors/Family. It is polite but not “super” polite.

友達（ともだち）にペンをもらいました。 (I received a pen from my friend.)
母（はは）に野菜（やさい）をもらいました。 (I received vegetables from my mother.)

Point 2: Itadakimasu (いただきました) = Humble

Use this for Superiors (Boss, Teacher, Senior, Customer). You lower yourself to show respect to the giver.

先生（せんせい）に本（ほん）をいただきました。 (I humbly received a book from my teacher.)
先輩（せんぱい）にアドバイスをいただきました。 (I humbly received advice from my senior.)

📊 Comparison Table

Word	Type	Giver (Who?)
もらいます (Moraimasu)	Standard Polite	Friends, Family, Coworkers (Equal/Lower)
いただきます (Itadakimasu)	Humble (Kenjougo)	Boss, Teacher, Customer, Elders (Superior)

🚧 Joy’s Mistake

(Receiving a pen from a friend) ❌ Wrong: 友達（ともだち）にペンを いただきました。 (Using humble language with a friend creates distance. It sounds like you are not close friends!) ✅ Right: 友達（ともだち）にペンを もらいました。 (Use the standard form for friends.)