помога́ть
pomogátʹimperfective
The English verb 'help' is translated into Russian as помога́ть (pomogátʹ) or помо́чь. If unsure, use помога́ть.
Meaning: transitive: provide assistance to (someone or something) (verb)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| помога́ть | pomogátʹ | imperfective |
| помо́чь | pomóčʹ | perfective |
The verb means to provide assistance to someone or something. You can use the noun по́мощь to refer to the act of assistance itself, or use interjections like помоги́те, на по́мощь! or спаси́те! to cry out in distress.
Which one should you use?
Use the imperfective form помога́ть to describe ongoing assistance or habitual help. Use the perfective form помо́чь when referring to a single, completed act of help.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb to help someone, the person being helped must be in the dative case (помога́ть кому́-то). If you are helping with a specific task or object, use the preposition с followed by the instrumental case (помо́чь с чем́-то).
How do you pronounce it?
pomogátʹ
Did you know?
- The word помо́чь is rooted in the word мо́чь, meaning 'to be able'. To help someone in Russian is literally to give them the ability to do something.
- Russian has a distinct word вы́ручить for a specific kind of help. It refers to helping someone out of a difficult or embarrassing predicament, often by providing a quick solution or money.
- In old Russian traditions, the concept of помощь was often linked to помо́чи, a community gathering where neighbors helped each other with heavy seasonal farm work.
Examples in context
- Извините, не могли бы вы помочь мне найти ближайшую станцию метро?Excuse me, could you please help me find the nearest subway station?
- Привет, Том, можешь помочь мне нести этот тяжёлый чемодан?Hey Tom, can you help me carry this heavy bag?
Example conversation
Olga and Dmitry are cleaning the kitchen together.
- Ольга OlgaДмитрий, ты будешь мне помога́ть?Dmitriy, ty budesh' mne pomogat'?Dmitry, are you going to help me?
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, я сейчас приду.Da, ya seychas pridu.Yes, I'm coming now.
- Ольга OlgaСпасибо, что решил помога́ть.Spasibo, chto reshil pomogat'.Thanks for deciding to help.
- Дмитрий DmitryНе за что, Ольга.Ne za chto, Ol'ga.You're welcome, Olga.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “help” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
