Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| допомага́ти | dopomaháty | imperfective |
| допомогти́ | dopomohtý | perfective |
| помага́ти | pomaháty | imperfective |
| помогти́ | pomohtý | perfective |
The verb is used to describe the action of providing assistance to someone or something. While the forms допомага́ти and допомогти́ are the standard ways to express this, you may also encounter the related verb помага́ти. Related nouns for the concept of assistance include допомо́га and по́міч.
Which one should you use?
In contrast, помага́ти is often used in colloquial speech, but допомага́ти is the preferred standard form. Use the perfective forms допомогти́ or помогти́ when referring to a completed act of helping or a specific instance of assistance.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb допомага́ти and its perfective counterpart require the dative case for the person being helped (e.g., допомага́ти комусь).
How do you pronounce it?
dopomaháty
When do people say it?
In an emergency or when shouting for help, speakers typically use the imperative Допоможіть! (Help!) or the phrase На допомо́гу! (To the rescue/Help!).
Did you know?
- In some contexts, the root of допомага́ти is related to the concept of 'adding' or 'supplementing', suggesting that helping is providing something extra to someone in need.
- The imperative Допоможіть! is used when addressing a group or showing respect, even if only one person is being asked for help.
- The prefix 'до-' in допомага́ти adds a sense of completeness or reaching a certain point, which is a common way Ukrainian builds meaning through word parts.
Examples in context
- Допоможіть, будь ласка. Я загубився.Help me, please. I'm lost.
- Допоможи, будь ласка. Я не розумію цю інструкцію.Help me, please. I don't understand this instruction.
Example conversation
Maria and Andriy are cleaning the kitchen together.
- Марія MariiaАндрію, ти можеш мені допомага́ти?Andriyu, ty mozhesh meni dopomahaty?Andriy, can you help me?
- Андрій AndriiТак, що мені зробити?Tak, shcho meni zrobyty?Yes, what should I do?
- Марія MariiaБудь ласка, помий ці тарілки.Bud laska, pomyy tsi tarilky.Please wash these plates.
- Андрій AndriiДобре, я зараз це зроблю.Dobre, ya zaraz tse zroblyu.Okay, I will do it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “help” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
