Ways to say it
| Hungarian | IPA |
|---|---|
| elősegít | [ˈɛløːʃɛɡiːt] (narrow) |
| segít | [ˈʃɛɡiːt] (narrow) |
| támogat | [ˈtaːmoɡɒt] (narrow) |
Use segít for general everyday assistance, such as helping a person or helping with a task. Use támogat when the help involves providing support, such as financial, emotional or physical support. Use elősegít when the help means to facilitate a process, promote a development or make something easier to happen.
Which one should you use?
While segít is the most common way to say 'help' in everyday situations, elősegít is more formal and specifically means to facilitate or promote. Támogat is used specifically for the meaning of 'support'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
For example, segít nekem means 'helps me'. The noun segítség refers to the concept of assistance or the actual aid provided.
When do people say it?
In an emergency, you can shout the noun Segítség! to mean 'Help!' If someone provides you with assistance, you can say köszönöm to say 'thank you'.
Did you know?
- The verb támogat shares an unknown linguistic root with the word támad, which means 'to attack', creating a strange formal link between support and striking.
- The verb segít requires the dative case to indicate the person receiving the assistance, meaning you don't just 'help someone', but 'help to someone'.
Examples in context
- Ez nem segít sokat.That doesn't help much.This sentence shows how to use the verb segít in a negative context regarding effectiveness.Tatoeba #4379594 by bandeirante, translation #2272088 by CK
- Ez nem segít nekem.That doesn't help me.This sentence demonstrates the use of the dative case with the verb segít to indicate who is being helped.Tatoeba #5537941 by mraz, translation #2272087 by CK
- Ez majd segít neki.That will help her.This sentence shows the future tense usage of the verb segít.Tatoeba #8749840 by maaster, translation #8748607 by Adelpa
- Elvesztem, segítsen!I'm lost, please help!
- 1485 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Katalin and Gábor are discussing a project at work.
- KatalinSzerintem ez a terv elősegít a munkában.I think this plan helps with the work.
- GáborMiben pontosan elősegít a folyamat?How exactly does it help the process?
- KatalinGyorsítja a kommunikációt a csapattagok között.It speeds up communication between team members.
- GáborAkár így, akkor próbáljuk ki!If that's the case, let's try it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “help” translations and entries elősegít, segít, támogat, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries elősegít, segít, támogat, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
