幫手
bong1 sau2
The Cantonese phrase for 'help' is 幫手 (bong1 sau2).
幫手 is a transitive verb used to mean providing assistance to someone or something.
Meaning: transitive: provide assistance to (someone or something) (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 幫, meaning 'to help' and 手, meaning 'hand', literally translating to 'help hand' or 'to lend a hand'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to specify the person receiving the assistance, place the object immediately after the verb, such as 幫佢 (help him/her).
How do you pronounce it?
bong1 sau2
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 幫手 if you are in an emergency or a life-threatening situation. Instead, use 救命 to mean 'Help me!' or 'Save me!'
Did you know?
- Cantonese speakers often use the phrase 幫幫我 (help help me) by doubling the verb 幫. This reduplication softens the request, making it sound more like a plea or a polite favor than a direct command.
- In traditional Cantonese culture, the act of 幫手 is often tied to the concept of 'face'. Offering help before it is asked for can sometimes be seen as implying the other person is incapable, depending on the social hierarchy.
- In Cantonese, you can use the word 幫 as a preposition meaning 'for' or 'on behalf of'. For example, saying 我幫你買 means 'I will buy it for you' rather than 'I will help you buy it'.
Examples in context
- 起身幫手啦！Get out of your chair and help!This sentence shows how to use 幫手 as a command to assist.Tatoeba #6961892 by nickyeow, translation #6961014 by Eccles17
- 你要搵人幫手。You need to seek help.This sentence illustrates the use of 幫手 when seeking assistance.Tatoeba #6539140 by nickyeow, translation #4950737 by CK
- 你諗住點幫手呀？How do you plan to help?This sentence demonstrates asking how someone intends to use 幫手.Tatoeba #5792970 by nickyeow, translation #5781942 by CK
- 救命啊！Help me!
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yating is cooking in the kitchen and asks Zijian for assistance.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting子健，你可以過嚟幫手嗎？zi2 gin6, nei5 ho2 ji5 gwo3 lei4 bong1 sau2 maa1?Zijian, can you come and help?
- 子健 Tsz Kin好呀，我想幫手做啲咩？hou2 aa3, ngo5 soeng2 bong1 sau2 zou6 di1 me1?Sure, what do you want me to help with?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting幫我洗下啲蔬菜就得喇。bong1 ngo5 sai2 haa5 di1 so1 coi3 zau6 dak1 laa3.Just help me wash the vegetables.
- 子健 Tsz Kin冇問題，我而家幫手。mou5 man6 tai4, ngo5 ji4 gaa1 bong1 sau2.No problem, I'll help now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
