助けてほしい
tasukete hoshii
In Japanese, 'I need help' is expressed as 助けてほしい (tasukete hoshii).
The phrase 助けてほしい is used to express a general need or desire for someone to provide assistance, rather than as a sudden cry during an emergency. To make a request more polite, you can start by saying Sumimasen (Excuse me) to get the listener's attention or add お願いします (please) to the end of your request.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 助けてほしい is composed of the te-form of the verb tasukeru (to save/help) and the adjective hoshii (to want), which literally means 'I want [you] to help/save [me]'.
Which one should you use?
While 助けてほしい expresses a desire for assistance, the shorter form 助けて is a direct imperative often used in urgent, life-threatening situations such as 'Help!'
How do you pronounce it?
tasukete hoshii
Did you know?
- While 助けて (tasukete) means 'help' in an emergency, the word 助ける (tasukeru) is also used in Japanese to describe the act of delivering a baby during childbirth.
- The word 助かる (tasukaru) is the intransitive version of the verb in 助けて, and Japanese speakers often say 助かりました (tasukarimashita) to thank someone, literally meaning 'I have been saved'.
- In Japanese culture, asking for help is sometimes viewed as 'meiwaku' or causing a nuisance, leading people to use vague phrases instead of a direct request like 助けてほしい.
Examples in context
- すみません、助けが必要です。Excuse me, I need help.
- すみません、助けていただけませんか。Excuse me, could you please help me?
- おい、助けて！Hey, help me!
- やばい、助けが必要なんだ。Oh no, I need help!
- 君に助けてほしいんだ。Kimi ni tasukete hoshii nda.I need you to help me.
- どうしても助けてほしいことがあります。Doushitemo tasukete hoshii koto ga arimasu.There is something I really need help with.
Example conversation
A student is struggling with a heavy box in a hallway.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲、ちょっと助けてほしい。Misaki, chotto tasukete hoshii.Misaki, I need a little help.
- 美咲 Misakiどうしたの、大翔？Doushita no, Hiroto?What's wrong, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hirotoこの箱がすごく重いんだ。Kono hako ga sugoku omoi nda.This box is really heavy.
- 美咲 Misaki一緒に運ぶのを手伝うよ。Issho ni hakobu no o tetsudau yo.I'll help you carry it.
