aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît
The English phrase "help, please" is translated into French as aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît.
This phrase is used for polite requests for assistance in non-emergency situations, such as asking a stranger for help with directions or a heavy bag.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of aidez (help), moi (me) and s'il vous plaît (if it pleases you).
Which one should you use?
While aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît is a polite request for assistance, Au secours ! is the standard exclamation used in an emergency or life-threatening situation.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are asking a friend, a child or someone you know well for help, you use the informal aide-moi, s'il te plaît instead of the formal version.
Did you know?
- The formal word for you vous shares a deep linguistic root with the Russian word for you вы (vy) and the Italian voi.
- While aidez-moi is a request for assistance, the emergency cry Au secours ! treats 'rescue' as a destination, literally meaning 'to the rescue!'
- If you use the formal s'il vous plaît to ask for help from a child, you are technically addressing them as a social superior or a stranger.
Examples in context
- Aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît, je suis perdu.Help me, please, I am lost.
- Aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît, mon sac a été volé.Help me, please, my bag was stolen.
- Aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît, je ne comprends pas l'exercice.Help me, please, I don't understand the exercise.
Example conversation
Nathan is struggling to open a heavy door at a shop.
- NathanExcusez-moi, aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît.Excuse me, help me, please.
- ChloéBien sûr, Nathan. Je vous aide.Of course, Nathan. I will help you.
- NathanMerci beaucoup, Chloé.Thank you very much, Chloé.
- ChloéDe rien, c'est normal.You're welcome, it's nothing.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
