Japanese for Elementary Learners: Asking Someone for a Recipe with レシピを教えてもらえますか
Learn to ask for a recipe in Japanese, focusing on written or shared instructions rather than a live cooking demonstration. Practice レシピ, 作り方, 送る, and polite request forms.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In this lesson you will learn how to ask someone to give you a recipe in Japanese. This is different from asking someone to show you how to cook in person. Here the focus is on receiving written or shareable instructions: a recipe card, a link, a photo, or a message you can keep and use later. You will practice the key noun レシピ (reshipi, recipe) and the useful phrase レシピを教えてもらえますか (reshipi o oshiete moraemasu ka, can you give me the recipe?). You will also learn how to ask someone to send it, and how to respond when someone offers a recipe to you.
By the end, you can…
- ask someone to give me a recipe using レシピを教えてもらえますか。
- ask someone to send a recipe by message, email, or link.
- distinguish a request for written instructions from a request for a cooking demonstration.
- respond politely when someone offers me a recipe.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
レシピを教えてもらえますか。
Can you give me the recipe?
reshipi o oshiete moraemasu ka
The main phrase for this lesson. It asks someone to share recipe instructions, not to cook in front of you.
作り方を教えてください。
Please tell me how to make it.
tsukurikata o oshiete kudasai
This asks for the method. It can mean written instructions or a spoken explanation, so it is broader than レシピ.
レシピを送ってもらえますか。
Can you send me the recipe?
reshipi o okutte moraemasu ka
Use this when you want the recipe sent by email, message, or a link.
レシピをLINEで送りますね。
I'll send you the recipe on LINE.
reshipi o rain de okurimasu ne
A natural offer. LINE is a common messaging app in Japan. Replace LINE with メール (mēru, email) if needed.
いいですよ。どうぞ。
Sure. Here you go.
ii desu yo. dōzo
A friendly response when you are happy to share the recipe.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 〜てもらえますか (〜te moraemasu ka) asks someone politely to do something for you. With レシピ, say レシピを教えてもらえますか (reshipi o oshiete moraemasu ka, can you give me the recipe?). To ask for it to be sent, use レシピを送ってもらえますか (reshipi o okutte moraemasu ka, can you send me the recipe?). The verb before てもらえますか is in the て form: 教えて (oshiete) from 教える (oshieru, to teach or tell), and 送って (okutte) from 送る (okuru, to send). This pattern is polite and natural with friends, coworkers, and acquaintances.
When to use it
Use レシピを教えてもらえますか when you want the recipe itself: a card, a note, a photo, a link, or a written message. Use 作り方を教えてください (tsukurikata o oshiete kudasai, please tell me how to make it) when you mainly want the method explained, which could be spoken. If you want to watch and learn, ask 作り方を見せてもらえますか (tsukurikata o misete moraemasu ka, can you show me how to make it?). For a written or shared recipe, レシピを送ってもらえますか is the clearest choice.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
このケーキ、おいしいですね。レシピを教えてもらえますか。
This cake is delicious. Can you give me the recipe?kono kēki, oishii desu ne. reshipi o oshiete moraemasu kaいいですよ。メールで送ってもいいですか。
Sure. Is it okay if I send it by email?ii desu yo. mēru de okutte mo ii desu kaはい、お願いします。写真でも大丈夫です。
Yes, please. A photo is fine too.hai, onegaishimasu. shashin demo daijōbu desuじゃあ、あとでレシピを送りますね。
Then I'll send you the recipe later.jā, ato de reshipi o okurimasu neA little context goes a long way
In Japanese, レシピ (reshipi) usually refers to a recipe as a text or set of instructions, while 作り方 (tsukurikata) means the way of making something. When someone shares a family recipe, it can feel personal, so a polite request plus お願いします (onegaishimasu, please) is appreciated. If the person offers to send it, a short ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu, thank you) is enough. Avoid demanding the recipe; a softer request such as よかったら、レシピを教えてもらえますか (yokattara, reshipi o oshiete moraemasu ka, if you don't mind, can you give me the recipe?) sounds considerate.
One thing to watch for
レシピを作ってもらえますか。 (reshipi o tsukutte moraemasu ka)
Try this instead: This means 'Can you make the recipe for me?' Use レシピを教えてもらえますか (reshipi o oshiete moraemasu ka) to ask for the recipe instructions. If you want someone to send it, say レシピを送ってもらえますか (reshipi o okutte moraemasu ka).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Can you give me the recipe?' politely in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
レシピを教えてもらえますか。 (reshipi o oshiete moraemasu ka)
This uses レシピ (recipe) plus 教えてもらえますか, a polite request for someone to give you the recipe. レシピを教えてください (reshipi o oshiete kudasai) is also correct but a little more direct.
2You want the recipe sent by email. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
レシピをメールで送ってもらえますか。 (reshipi o mēru de okutte moraemasu ka)
This adds メールで (by email) to 送ってもらえますか. You can replace メール with LINE or メッセージ depending on how you will receive it.
3What is the difference between レシピ and 作り方 in this lesson?
Show a sample answer
レシピ is the recipe itself, often written or shared. 作り方 is the method or way of making something, which can be spoken or shown.
Use レシピを教えてもらえますか for written or shareable instructions. Use 作り方を教えてください for the method, and 作り方を見せてもらえますか if you want to watch someone cook.
To ask for a recipe in Japanese, say レシピを教えてもらえますか。 Add 送ってもらえますか when you want it sent, and remember that レシピ focuses on the shared instructions, while 作り方 focuses on the method.
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