hjelp
The English word "help" is translated into Norwegian as hjelp.
hjelp is the most standard and neutral term for help in Norwegian. It can be used as a noun to describe the action of providing assistance, or as an interjection to form a cry of distress.
Meaning: transitive: provide assistance to (someone or something) (verb)
Which one should you use?
The word hjelp functions as both the noun "help" and as an imperative command (e.g., "Help!"), whereas hjelpe is the infinitive verb form "to help".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form of the verb is hjelpe. In the present tense, the verb is hjelper (helps / am helping). To express the perfect tense, use har hjulpet (has helped).
Did you know?
- While hjelp is the standard term, Norwegians often use the word støtte when referring to emotional or financial 'help' in a supportive sense.
- The Norwegian word hjelp and the English word 'help' are cognates, meaning they both descended from the same ancestral Germanic root.
- In Norway, if you are in immediate danger, you would shout hjelp just as an English speaker shouts 'help', but the pronunciation of the 'j' is like the English 'y'.
Examples in context
- Vil du ha hjelp?Could you use some help?This sentence is useful for asking if someone needs help using hjelp.Tatoeba #5145587 by sotolf, translation #5141754 by CK
- Du må hjelpe oss.You have to help us.This sentence uses the verb form to say someone must help using hjelpe.Tatoeba #3551464 by danieljtah, translation #3330916 by CK
- Tom får mye hjelp.Tom gets a lot of help.This sentence shows how to express receiving assistance using hjelp.Tatoeba #5153242 by Yomawaru, translation #5152651 by CK
- Unnskyld meg, kan du hjelpe meg å finne nærmeste togstasjon, vær så snill?Excuse me, could you help me find the nearest train station, please?
- Hei, kan du hjelpe meg å bære disse veskene?Hey, could you help me carry these bags?
- 157 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jakob and Ingrid are carrying heavy grocery bags into the house.
- JakobTrenger du litt hjelp med posene, Ingrid?Do you need some help with the bags, Ingrid?
- IngridJa, det hadde vært fint.Yes, that would be nice.
- JakobJeg kan ta den største posen.I can take the largest bag.
- IngridTakk for at du vil hjelp meg.Thanks for wanting to help me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hjelp, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hjelp, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
