Learn Hardcore Japanese: watasi ha yakkyoku de waribiki no kuupon wo moraimasita. - I received a discount coupon at the pharmacy.

は marks 私 as the topic of the sentence—it tells us “I” is what we’re talking about. In Japanese, once the topic is clear from context you can omit it, so saying
薬局で割引のクーポンをもらいました。
is perfectly natural if it’s obvious you’re talking about yourself.

What is the role of the particle で after 薬局? How is it different from に?

で indicates the location where an action takes place (“at the pharmacy”). In contrast, に often marks a destination (“to the pharmacy”) or a point in time/existence (“in/at”). Here, because you’re receiving something as an action location, you use で.

Why is 割引 connected to クーポン by の? Could we just say 割引クーポン?

The の links two nouns, showing that the coupon is “of discount” or “a discount coupon.”
– 割引のクーポン literally “a coupon of discount.”
– 割引クーポン is also used in marketing copy as a compound, but in everyday speech 割引のクーポン sounds more natural and transparent to learners.

What does もらいました mean, and why not use 受け取りました?

もらう (to receive) focuses on the receiver’s perspective—“I got (something from someone).”
受け取る is more formal/neutral, emphasizing the act of taking receipt.
By using もらいました, you convey a personal benefit or gratitude nuance (“I happily received”).

Why is the verb at the end in the polite past form もらいました? How would you say it in plain form or in present/future tense?

– Polite past: もらいました (“received”)
– Plain past: もらった
– Polite non-past: もらいます (“will/would receive” or habitual “receive(s)”)
– Plain non-past: もらう
Use the form to match your level of formality and timing.

Why is クーポン written in katakana?

Katakana is used for loanwords (外来語). クーポン comes from English “coupon,” so it’s standard to write it in katakana rather than kanji or hiragana.

Why is クーポン followed by を? Could we drop を in casual speech?

を marks クーポン as the direct object—what you received. In very casual spoken Japanese, particles sometimes get dropped, but omitting を can cause confusion. For clarity and correctness, especially in writing or polite speech, keep を.