手伝てつだい

て

つ

だ

い

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

noun

helper; assistant

Refers to a person who helps with a task, event, household work, shop work, and similar practical activities. Less formal than 職務名としての「助手」.

祭まつりの手伝てつだいを三さん人にん募ぼ集しゅうしている。
They are recruiting three helpers for the festival.
店みせが忙いそがしいので

、

週しゅう

末まつ

だけ

手伝てつだ

い

を

雇やと

っ

た

。

The shop is busy, so we hired a helper just for weekends.

2

noun

help; assistance

Refers to the act or service of helping someone do something. Common in patterns such as 手伝いをする and 手伝いをお願いする.

引ひっ越こしの手伝てつだいをお願ねがいできますか。
Could I ask you to help with the move?
母ははの料りょう理りの手伝てつだいをした。
I helped my mother with the cooking.

Written forms

手伝てつだいUsage99%
Standard common spelling for both the person who helps and the act of helping.
手てつだいUsage1%
search-only kanji form
Attested mixed spelling marked as search-only; use 手伝い in normal writing.

Kanji

手hand
伝transmit, go along, walk along

Similar words

手伝てつだう
The verb meaning 'to help'; 手伝い is the noun form for either a helper or the help itself.
助じょ手しゅ
A more role-like or occupational 'assistant,' often in academic, technical, or job-title contexts; 手伝い is more general and task-based.
助たすけ
Means help, aid, or rescue more broadly, often with a stronger sense of saving or support; 手伝い is practical assistance with a task.

Etymology

A noun form related to the verb 手伝う, 'to help.' The spelling combines 手, 'hand,' with 伝い as in the verb, but this is practical spelling guidance rather than a detailed historical derivation.