Meaning
to help; to assist; to give a hand
Nuance & Usage
手伝う means to help with a task or assist someone. It takes を for the person being helped or the task: 引っ越しを手伝う (help with moving), 母を手伝う (help my mother). The noun form is 手伝い (tetsudai — helping hand, assistant). 手伝ってもらえますか？ (Could you help me?) is a very natural request. Compare with 助ける (tasukeru — to save/rescue, for more urgent situations) and 手助けする (tedasuke suru — similar to 手伝う but slightly more formal).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 手伝う (to help with a specific task) with 助ける (tasukeru — to rescue/help in a critical situation). 手伝う is for everyday practical assistance; 助ける is for saving someone from danger or a serious situation. Also: the benefactive pattern 手伝ってあげる (help someone as a favor) and 手伝ってもらう (have someone help you) are important grammar patterns to know with this verb.
Example Sentences
引っ越しを手伝ってもらえませんか？
ひっこしをてつだってもらえませんか？
Could you help me with moving?
困っている人を見かけたら、積極的に手伝うようにしています。
こまっているひとをみかけたら、せっきょくてきにてつだうようにしています。
When I see someone in trouble, I make an effort to actively help them.
何かお手伝いできることはありますか？
なにかおてつだいできることはありますか？
Is there anything I can help you with?
Quick Quiz
N34 questionsTest your knowledge of 手伝う with 4 different question types.
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