Translation guide
The English word 'helping' can refer to a portion of food or to the act of assisting. This guide focuses on the food-related meaning, as the assisting sense is covered under 'help'.
Expressing a serving or portion of food, especially when offering or asking for more.
Most common way to ask for a second helping or refill, especially in casual dining. Literally means 'replacement' or 'another serving'.
おかわりはいかがですか？
Would you like another helping?
ご飯のおかわりをください。
Please give me another helping of rice.
Means 'one portion' or 'one serving', often used when ordering or describing amounts.
Refers to a serving or helping, often used in compound words like 大盛り (large portion).
大盛りにしますか？
Would you like a large helping?
The English word 'helping' as in 'I am helping someone' is not translated with the above words. Use 手伝う (てつだう) or 助ける (たすける) instead. See the entry for 'help'.
彼を手伝っています。
I am helping him.
This dish is just the right amount for one helping.