Translation guide
How to offer or request help in Japanese, from casual to formal situations.
You want to offer help to a friend, colleague, or someone in a casual setting.
Casual offer meaning 'Shall I help?'. Use with friends, family, or close colleagues.
That looks heavy. Want a hand?
Polite offer. Suitable for acquaintances, strangers, or slightly formal situations.
May I lend a hand?
Casual way to ask 'Is there anything I can help with?'.
You want to offer help in a business, customer service, or very polite context.
Very polite offer, often used in service situations. Humble form.
You need help and want to ask a friend or peer.
Direct casual request: 'Can you help me?'. Use with close friends or family.
You need help in a polite or formal setting.
Polite request: 'Could you please help me?'. Humble form showing respect.
You want to say that someone helped or is helping, without a direct offer or request.
You want to volunteer your help in a group setting, like at work or a community event.
Simple and direct: 'I'll do it.' Often used to volunteer for a task.
手伝う (てつだう) is used for helping with tasks or work, like lending a hand with chores. 助ける (たすける) implies rescuing or saving someone from a difficult situation. Using 助ける for simple tasks can sound overly dramatic.
help with cooking
You look busy. Is there anything I can help with?
Shall I carry your luggage?
Polite inquiry if there is anything you can help with. Common in customer service.
Is there anything I can help you with?
Can you give me a hand for a sec?
Slightly softer casual request, literally 'Can I receive the favor of your help?'.
Could you help me with this?
Literally 'save me', used casually for 'help me out'. Can sound a bit dramatic or urgent.
Can imply a more desperate need for help than 手伝う.
I have too much homework. Can you help me out?
Excuse me, could you lend me a hand?
Very polite request, literally 'Won't you please help me?'. Formal and respectful.
Would you mind helping me organize these documents?
Formal way to request assistance, often used in business or official contexts.
Could I ask for your help with the preparations for tomorrow's event?
General verb for 'help' (with a task). Can be used in various tenses.
He often lends a hand with my work.
Yesterday, my friend helped me move.
Means 'help' or 'rescue', often for more serious situations or saving someone from trouble.
Not used for simple task assistance as commonly as 手伝う.
He likes to lend a hand to people in need.
Literally 'lend strength', a more figurative way to say 'lend a hand'. Slightly formal or literary.
Could you lend a hand with the project?
I'll take care of that task.
Polite way to volunteer: 'Please let me do it.' Shows eagerness to help.
Please let me handle the preparations.
命を助ける
save a life
The literal translation '手を貸す' (てをかす) exists but is less common and can sound old-fashioned or literary. Stick with 手伝う for everyday use.