～てくれる∥もらう∥あげる

[The7thSamurai]

Well I thought I had the whole te form + kureru/morau/ageru under control under I took a JLPT practice test today. The following sentence has totally stumped me:

A) 社長に私たちの気持ちをわかっていただきたいと思 う。

Does this mean 'I think the manager wants to (do us the favour of) understand(ing) our feelings',

OR

'I think we want the manager to (do us the favour) of understand(ing) our feelings'.?

I don't get why the 'ni' particle is used. As far as I knew, 'ni' with 'morau' (or 'itadaku') marks the person from whom the favour was received. So in this sentence, 'we' are the ones who want to receive the favour from the manager. And why is there 'to omou' in there too? Is the speaker unsure of what he wants? Ahh, I'm so confused.

 

[Mike Cash]

"We would like the manager to understand our feelings."

The に is there because it indicates from whom the favor (understanding feelings) is received.

The 思う is there merely as a "softener". It's social skid grease, nothing more.

 

[The7thSamurai]

I think I get it now. Thanks!

社長にプレゼントをいただきました。 = I humbly received a present from the manager.

社長に手伝っていただきました。 = I humbly received some help from the manager.

社長に私たちの気持ちを分かっていただきました = We humbly received an understanding of our feelings from the manager (stupid translation I know, I'm just trying to get my head around it)

私の気持ちを分かっていただいてありがとうございました = Thank you for (giving me) an understanding of my feelings.

 

[kazika]

I learn something new today. thanks. haha.

 

[Mike Cash]

Do they have AOL in Singapore?

 

[Elizabeth]

I think I get it now. Thanks!
社長にプレゼントをいただきました。 = I humbly received a present from the manager.
社長に手伝っていただきました。 = I humbly received some help from the manager.
社長に私たちの気持ちを分かっていただきました = We humbly received an understanding of our feelings from the manager (stupid translation I know, I'm just trying to get my head around it)
私の気持ちを分かっていただいてありがとうございました = Thank you for (giving me) an understanding of my feelings.

It isn't a stupid translation but "いただく" takes on various nuances in English and using "humbly" to me describes a situation as if you're receiving something based on request, in other words a way of 'thanking' for what has been specifically asked for. Which could be either that or the president/manager acting independently. Same with もらう。There's unfortunately no way to tell without the fuller context.