Translation guide
The concept of helping or aiding someone, often in a supportive or secondary role. Japanese has several common verbs and expressions depending on the nature of the assistance.
To provide help or support to someone in a general sense.
The most common verb for helping someone with a task. Implies doing part of the work together.
母の料理を手伝った。
I helped my mother with cooking.
引っ越しを手伝ってくれませんか。
Could you help me move?
To help or rescue someone in need, often in a more serious or urgent situation. Can also mean 'save'.
困っている人を助けた。
I helped a person in trouble.
命を助けてくれてありがとう。
Thank you for saving my life.
Literally 'lend a hand'. A casual, friendly way to offer help.
ちょっと手を貸してくれる？
Can you give me a hand?
Formal term for providing aid or assistance, often used in official or international contexts.
政府は被災地を援助した。
The government assisted the disaster area.
To assist someone as a subordinate or helper, often in a professional or organized setting.
To assist or support as a secondary person, often in technical or administrative tasks.
彼は教授の研究を補助している。
He is assisting the professor with research.
Loanword from English 'assist'. Common in sports, business, and casual contexts.
彼はゴールをアシストした。
He assisted the goal.
Polite form of 手伝う, often used when offering help to a superior or customer.
何かお手伝いしましょうか。
May I help you with something?
To help someone by giving advice, directions, or instructions.
To guide or show someone around, or to provide information about a place or process.
お客様を会議室へ案内してください。
Please show the guest to the conference room.
To teach or tell someone how to do something. Often used when assisting by giving knowledge.
駅への道を教えてあげた。
I told him the way to the station.
手伝う is used for helping with everyday tasks, while 助ける implies rescuing or helping someone in a difficult situation. Using 助ける for simple tasks can sound overly dramatic.
宿題を手伝って。
Help me with my homework.
溺れている人を助けた。
I saved a drowning person.
The English word 'assist' is often translated as アシストする in sports or casual contexts, but in formal situations, 補助する or 援助する are more appropriate. Using アシストする in a business report may sound too informal.