What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bana (to me), yardım (help/assistance) and et (the imperative form of "to do").
Which one should you use?
While bana yardım et is a direct imperative command, it can sound blunt or even rude if used with strangers or people in higher positions. In natural conversation, it is much more common to use the question form bana yardım eder misin? (can/will you help me?) to ask for help.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the request polite or to address more than one person, change et to edin, resulting in bana yardım edin.
How do you pronounce it?
/bana jaɾdɯm et/. The sound /b/ is like the b in "about", /n/ is like the n in "not", /j/ is like the y in "yes", /ɾ/ is like the t in American English "atom", /ɯ/ is somewhat like the o in "ribbon" and /m/ is like the m in "much".
Did you know?
- While bana yardım et uses the verb 'to do', the word et is an exact homonym for the Turkish word for 'meat'.
- The word İmdat used for emergencies is actually a loanword from the Arabic word for 'aid' or 'succor'.
- In Turkish culture, asking for help from a stranger often begins with a polite address like Pardon or Bakabilir misiniz? before using the phrase bana yardım eder misiniz?
Examples in context
- Gel bana yardım et.Come help me.This sentence shows how to use bana yardım et with the verb "come".Tatoeba #1997111 by duran, translation #1439549 by CM
- Bana yardım et, Tom.Help me, Tom.This sentence shows how to use bana yardım et when addressing a person by name.Tatoeba #3934654 by duran, translation #2549789 by CK
- Şimdi bana yardım et.Now help me.This sentence shows how to use bana yardım et with the word "now".Tatoeba #2530726 by duran, translation #2249682 by CK
- Günaydın, yardım ediniz. Kaybettiğim eşyalarımı bulmam için yardımınıza ihtiyacım var.Good morning, help me. I need your help to find my lost belongings.
- Özür dilerim, yardım edebilir misiniz? Bagajımı taşımamda bana yardımcı olabilir misiniz?I apologize, can you help me? Could you assist me in carrying my luggage?
- Abi, yardım et! Aracımın lastiği patladı ve ben hiç lastik değiştirmeyi bilmiyorum.Bro, help me! I got a flat tire, and I don't know how to change it.
- 314 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mehmet is trying to carry heavy grocery bags into the house.
- MehmetLütfen bana yardım et.Please help me.
- ZeynepTabii ki, hemen geliyorum.Of course, I'm coming right now.
- MehmetBu poşetler çok ağır.These bags are very heavy.
- ZeynepTamam, beraber taşıyalım.Okay, let's carry them together.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries et, yardım, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
