aider
/ɛ.de/
In French, helping is translated as aider.
The verb aider is the standard way to express the concept of helping or to help. While aider is the verb for the action, the word aide is the noun used to refer to the assistance or help itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form aider is used to express the concept of helping. As a transitive verb, aider must be followed directly by a direct object (the person being helped) without a preposition, such as in aider quelqu'un. If you use a direct object pronoun like 'me' (m'), it is placed before the verb, as in m'aider.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of aider is /ɛ.de/.
Did you know?
- While aider means 'to help', the phrase donner un coup de main literally means 'to give a blow of the hand'. This is the most common idiomatic way to offer a helping hand in casual French.
- In a culinary context, if you are 'helping' yourself to food, you would use the verb servir rather than aider.
- The verb aider is often used in the reflexive form s'aider de to mean 'to use' or 'to make use of' a tool or resource.
Examples in context
- Tom aurait dû m'aider.Tom should've been helping me.This sentence shows how to use aider with an object pronoun.Tatoeba #7547142 by tras, translation #7543971 by CK
- Tu es supposé l'aider.You're supposed to be helping him.This sentence shows how to use aider with a direct object pronoun.Tatoeba #8603951 by sacredceltic, translation #3914843 by CH
- Tu es supposé les aider.You're supposed to be helping them.Tatoeba #8603953 by sacredceltic, translation #3914841 by CH
- Je suis là pour vous aider.I am here to help you.
- Le médecin m'a assisté pendant l'opération.The doctor assisted me during the surgery.
- Les pompiers sont arrivés rapidement pour nous secourir.The firefighters arrived quickly to help us.
- Je vais t'aider avec ton devoir.I'll help you with your homework.
- Est-ce que tu peux me donner un coup de main pour porter ces valises ?Can you give me a hand carrying these suitcases?
- Je vais te filer un coup de pouce pour préparer la fête.I'll give you a helping hand to prepare the party.
- 79 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel is struggling to carry heavy boxes.
- GabrielC'est trop lourd pour moi.It is too heavy for me.
- LéaJe peux t'aider avec ça, Gabriel.I can help you with that, Gabriel.
- GabrielMerci beaucoup, Léa.Thank you very much, Léa.
- LéaDe rien, c'est normal d'aider.You're welcome, it's normal to help.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry aider, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
