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.
重そうだね。手伝おうか？
That looks heavy. Want a hand?
Polite offer. Suitable for acquaintances, strangers, or slightly formal situations.
お手伝いしましょうか？
May I lend a hand?
Casual way to ask 'Is there anything I can help with?'.
大変そうだけど、何か手伝えることある？
You look busy. 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.
お荷物をお持ちいたしましょうか？
Shall I carry your luggage?
Polite inquiry if there is anything you can help with. Common in customer service.
何かお手伝いできることはありますか？
Is there anything I can help you with?
You need help and want to ask a friend or peer.
Direct casual request: 'Can you help me?'. Use with close friends or family.
ちょっと手伝ってくれる？
Can you give me a hand for a sec?
Slightly softer casual request, literally 'Can I receive the favor of your help?'.
これ、手伝ってもらえる？
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.
宿題が多すぎる。助けてくれる？
I have too much homework. Can you help me out?
You need help in a polite or formal setting.
Polite request: 'Could you please help me?'. Humble form showing respect.
すみません、ちょっと手伝っていただけますか？
Excuse me, could you lend me a hand?
Very polite request, literally 'Won't you please help me?'. Formal and respectful.
この書類の整理を手伝ってくださいませんか？
Would you mind helping me organize these documents?
Formal way to request assistance, often used in business or official contexts.
明日のイベントの準備で、お手伝いをお願いできますか？
Could I ask for your help with the preparations for tomorrow's event?
You want to say that someone helped or is helping, without a direct offer or request.
General verb for 'help' (with a task). Can be used in various tenses.
彼はよく私の仕事を手伝ってくれる。
He often lends a hand with my work.
昨日、友達が引っ越しを手伝ってくれた。
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.
Literally 'lend strength', a more figurative way to say 'lend a hand'. Slightly formal or literary.
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.
その仕事、私がやります。
I'll take care of that task.
Polite way to volunteer: 'Please let me do it.' Shows eagerness to help.
準備は私にやらせてください。
Please let me handle the preparations.
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.
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.
彼は困っている人を助けるのが好きだ。
He likes to lend a hand to people in need.
Could you lend a hand with the project?