Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pomóc | /ˈpɔ.mut͡s/ /ˈpɔ.mot͡s/ (Middle, Polish) |
perfective |
| pomagać | /pɔˈma.ɡat͡ɕ/ | imperfective |
The verb is used to express the act of providing assistance to someone or something. If you are in an emergency and need to shout for help, do not use the verb. Instead, use the exclamation pomocy! or the high-intensity cry ratunku! to call for immediate rescue.
Which one should you use?
Polish uses two different forms of the verb depending on the nature of the action. The imperfective form pomagać is used to describe an ongoing process of helping or an action that happens habitually. The perfective form pomóc refers to a single, completed act of providing help.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both the imperfective pomagać and the perfective pomóc require the dative case for the person or object receiving the assistance.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈpɔ.muts/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word pomóc is built from the prefix po- and the verb móc, which means 'to be able to'. Literally, helping someone in Polish is described as 'enabling' them.
- The exclamation pomocy! is actually the genitive case of the noun 'help', rather than a verb form, which is why it sounds different from pomóc.
- In Polish, the person being helped is placed in the dative case, which is the same case used for the recipient of a gift or a letter.
Examples in context
- To może Ci pomóc.This may help you.This sentence shows how to use the form pomóc.Tatoeba #3738598 by konrad509, translation #3736935 by CK
- On może ci pomóc.He can help you out.Tatoeba #6464186 by mojeanin, translation #2187644 by Hybrid
- Tom może Ci pomóc.Tom might help you.Tatoeba #3738600 by konrad509, translation #3736934 by CK
- Przepraszam, czy mógłby Pan/Pani mi pomóc?Excuse me, could you help me, please?
- Przepraszam, czy moglibyście mi pomóc?Excuse me, could you all help me, please?
- Czy możesz mi pomóc z zadaniami domowymi?Can you help me with my homework?
- 276 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna is carrying heavy bags and Krzysztof sees her.
- KrzysztofCzy mogę ci pomóc?Can I help you?
- AnnaTak, proszę, pomóż mi z tymi torbami.Yes, please, help me with these bags.
- KrzysztofOczywiście, chętnie ci pomogę.Of course, I will gladly help you.
- AnnaDziękuję ci bardzo, Krzysztofie.Thank you very much, Krzysztof.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “help” translations and entries pomóc, pomagać, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pomagać, pomóc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
