Learning how to say “help” in Japanese is an essential skill to have when visiting or living in Japan. Whether you find yourself in a situation where you need assistance or simply want to express your willingness to help someone in need, mastering this keyword will prove invaluable. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to say “help” in Japanese, providing you with tips, examples, and regional variations where necessary.
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say “Help” in Japanese
When it comes to formal situations or addressing someone with higher social status, using a polite form of “help” is crucial. Here are a few expressions:
- お助けてください (Otasukete kudasai) – This is the most common and versatile way to ask for help in a formal context. The phrase is composed of “お” (o), a prefix that adds politeness, “助けて” (tasukete), the imperative form of the verb “助ける” (tasukeru) meaning “to help”, and “ください” (kudasai), which is the polite way to make a request.
Example: お助けてください！ (Otasukete kudasai!) – Please help me! - お手伝いをお願いします (O-tetsudai o onegaishimasu) – This phrase conveys a more formal tone and can be translated as “Please assist me.”
Example: お手伝いをお願いします。 (O-tetsudai o onegaishimasu.) – Can you please assist me? - 応援をお願いします (Ouen o onegaishimasu) – When you are seeking support or encouragement, you can use this expression. It implies that you would like someone to help you by cheering you on or rooting for you.
Example: 今日は大事な試合です。応援をお願いします！ (Kyou wa daiji na shiai desu. Ouen o onegaishimasu!) – Today is an important match. Please support me!
2. Informal Ways to Say “Help” in Japanese
When talking to friends, family, or in casual settings, you can use less formal expressions for “help”. Here are a few examples:
- 助けてくれ (Tasukete kure) – This is a simple and common way to ask for help informally. “助けて” (tasukete) is the imperative form of “助ける” (tasukeru) meaning “to help”, and “くれ” (kure) adds the sense of “please” or “do it for me”.
Example: 助けてくれ！ (Tasukete kure!) – Help me, please! - 助かる (Tasukaru) – This expression, which can also be used when you want to express gratitude for someone’s help, means “to be saved” or “to be helped”. It is often used after someone has provided assistance or to indicate that you appreciate someone’s help in advance.
Example: 助かった！ (Tasukatta!) – I’m saved! (Thank you for helping me!) - 頼む (Tanomu) – This verb translates to “to ask” or “to request” and can be used when you need someone’s help. Its casual form, 頼んだ (Tanonda), is commonly used among friends.
Example: 頼んだよ！ (Tanonda yo!) – I’m counting on you! (Please help me!)
3. Regional Variations
While the phrases mentioned above are widely understood throughout Japan, it’s worth noting that regional variations exist. Here are a couple of examples:
関西弁 (Kansai-ben) Variation:
助けてもろてください (Tasukete morote kudasai) – This phrase is commonly used in the Kansai region, which includes cities like Osaka and Kyoto. It carries the same meaning as the standard “お助けてください” (Otasukete kudasai).
東北弁 (Tohoku-ben) Variation:
助けてほんまされ (Tasukete honmasara) – This phrase reflects the dialect spoken in the Tohoku region (northeastern part of Japan). It translates to the same meaning as “助けてください” (Otasukete kudasai).
Conclusion
Mastering how to say “help” in Japanese is not only practical but also demonstrates your respect for the local culture. By using the formal and informal expressions provided in this guide, you’ll be equipped to seek assistance or offer help in a variety of situations. Remember, it’s essential to adapt your choice of words based on the formality of the context and your relationship with the person you’re talking to. With practice and a warm attitude, you’ll soon become confident in navigating Japanese conversations and expressing your needs effectively.
