pomáhat
[ˈpomaːɦat]imperfective
The English verb 'help' is translated into Czech using the verb pomáhat or its perfective forms pomoct and pomoci. Wiktionary also lists pomoct or pomoci.
Meaning: transitive: provide assistance to (someone or something) (verb)
Ways to say it
| Czech | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pomáhat | [ˈpomaːɦat] (narrow) | imperfective |
| pomoct or pomoci | perfective |
The primary meaning is to provide assistance to someone or something. The related noun pomoc can mean the action of providing assistance, but it is also used as a cry of distress, such as shouting Pomoc! to signal an emergency.
Which one should you use?
Czech uses two aspects for this verb. Use the imperfective form pomáhat to describe ongoing or habitual assistance. Use the perfective forms to describe a completed, single act of help. While both pomoct and pomoci are perfective, pomoci is the more standard and common version in modern Czech.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using pomáhat or its perfective counterparts to say you are helping someone, the person being helped must be in the dative case (někomu).
Did you know?
- The verb pomáhat shares a deep linguistic root with the word moci, which is a cognate of the English word 'might'. Both languages derive the idea of helping from the concept of strength.
- While pomáhat means 'to help', the word pomocník refers to an assistant or a helper. In some traditional contexts, this word specifically referred to a journeyman or an apprentice in a craft.
- In Czech folklore and old idioms, the phrase božská pomoc refers to 'divine help', often used when a situation seems impossible to resolve through human effort alone.
Examples in context
- Tom nám má pomáhat.Tom is supposed to help us.This sentence shows the use of the imperfective form pomáhat regarding a person's duty.Tatoeba #13164660 by Ergulis, translation #6664068 by CK
- Nemám čas ti pomáhat.I'm too busy to help you.This sentence demonstrates using the imperfective form pomáhat to express being unable to help due to time constraints.Tatoeba #8665185 by Ergulis, translation #8369545 by CK
- Nemusíš mi v tom pomáhat.You don't need to help me do that.This sentence shows the imperfective form pomáhat in a negative context regarding a task.Tatoeba #8457751 by Ergulis, translation #8457025 by CK
- Pomoz mi, prosím. Mám problém s mým počítačem.Help me, please. I have a problem with my computer.
- Můžeš mi pomoct? Nemůžu najít své sluchátka.Can you help me? I can't find my headphones.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jan and Lucie are cleaning the kitchen together.
- JanBudeš mi pomáhat s mytím nádobí, Lucie?Will you help me with the dishes, Lucie?
- LucieAno, ráda ti pomáhám.Yes, I am happy to help you.
- JanMůžeš pomáhat i s utíráním stolu?Can you help with wiping the table too?
- LucieSamozřejmě, že budu pomáhat.Of course I will help.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “help” translations and entries pomáhat, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
