Translation guide
How to express the idea of receiving assistance, support, or aid in Japanese, depending on the situation and formality.
友達に助けてもらった。
I got help from a friend.
To receive help, support, or aid in a general sense.
A common and natural way to say 'get help' from someone. Uses the -てもらう form to indicate receiving a favor.
友達に宿題を助けてもらった。
I got help with my homework from a friend.
Specifically means to get physical or practical help, like assistance with a task.
引っ越しを手伝ってもらった。
I got help moving.
Literally 'to seek help'. Used when actively looking for assistance, often in emergencies or formal contexts.
彼は助けを求めて叫んだ。
He shouted to get help.
Formal term for receiving support, often used in official, technical, or humanitarian contexts.
被災地は国際的な支援を受けた。
The disaster area received international help.
To get help from a professional, such as a doctor, counselor, or specialist.
Used specifically for getting medical help or examination from a doctor.
風邪をひいたので、病院で診てもらった。
I caught a cold, so I got help at the hospital.
To get advice or counseling from someone, often a professional or trusted person.
弁護士に相談に乗ってもらった。
I got help from a lawyer.
Specifically for receiving counseling or therapy.
ストレスでカウンセリングを受けた。
I got help for stress through counseling.
To get immediate assistance in a crisis or dangerous situation.
To call for help, often in an emergency.
溺れている人を見て、助けを呼んだ。
Seeing someone drowning, I called for help.
To seek rescue or emergency assistance, more formal than 助けを呼ぶ.
山で遭難し、救助を求めた。
We got lost in the mountains and sought help.
To receive clarification, explanation, or information from someone.
To get help by being taught or informed about something.
駅への道を教えてもらった。
I got help with directions to the station.
To get an explanation or clarification.
難しい言葉の意味を説明してもらった。
I got help understanding the meaning of the difficult word.
The pattern [person]に[action in て-form]もらう is the most natural way to say you got help from someone. It implies gratitude and that the action was done for your benefit.
Directly translating 'get help' as 助けを得る (たすけをえる) is unnatural in most contexts. Use the appropriate verb phrase instead.