Translation guide
How to ask for help in Japanese, from casual to formal situations.
The speaker directly requests assistance from the listener.
Polite and direct request for help. Suitable for most situations.
すみません、助けてください。
Excuse me, please help me.
Casual, direct request. Used among friends or in urgent situations.
助けて！誰か！
Help! Somebody!
Very polite, humble request. Appropriate for formal situations or when asking a superior.
お忙しいところ恐れ入りますが、助けていただけませんか。
I'm sorry to bother you when you're busy, but could you please help me?
Literally 'please help/assist'. Often used when asking for a hand with a task.
この荷物を運ぶのを手伝ってください。
Please help me carry this luggage.
Direct, masculine, and somewhat rough. Used by men in casual or desperate situations.
おい、助けてくれ！
Hey, help me!
The speaker requests assistance with a specific activity.
Pattern: 'Please help me with ~'. Replace 〜 with a noun or verb phrase.
宿題をするのを手伝ってください。
Please help me with my homework.
Polite request: 'Could you help me with ~?'
料理を作るのを手伝ってもらえますか。
Could you help me cook?
Casual request: 'Help me with ~'.
掃除するのを手伝って。
Help me clean.
The speaker urgently needs assistance, often in a dangerous situation.
The speaker hints at needing help without a direct request.
Soft, indirect request: 'I'd be happy if you could help me a bit.' Common in casual conversation.
この書類、ちょっと手伝ってもらえると嬉しいんだけど。
I'd appreciate it if you could help me with these documents.
Polite, indirect request: 'I would appreciate your help.' Literally 'It would be helpful if I could receive your help.'
お手数ですが、助けていただけると助かります。
I'm sorry to trouble you, but I would appreciate your help.
The word 'please' is often translated as ください, but in Japanese, the politeness level is built into the verb form. Using ください with the wrong verb form can sound unnatural. For example, 助けてください is correct, but 助けますください is wrong.
助ける (tasukeru) means to save or rescue from a difficult situation. 手伝う (tetsudau) means to assist with a task. Use 助ける for emergencies or serious trouble, and 手伝う for everyday help like chores or work.
溺れている人を助ける
Rescue a drowning person
引っ越しを手伝う
Help with moving
Patterns like 手伝ってもらう (tetsudatte morau) mean 'to receive the favor of someone helping'. This is a very natural way to ask for or describe help in Japanese, emphasizing the benefit to the speaker.