도움이 필요해요
Doumi piryohaeyo
The English phrase "I need help" can be translated into Korean as 도움이 필요해요 (Doumi piryohaeyo).
This phrase is used to express that you require assistance to complete a task or solve a problem.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 도움 (help), the particle 이 (subject marker) and 필요해요 (need).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 도움이 필요해요 is polite and suitable for most social situations with strangers or acquaintances. In informal settings, such as when speaking with close friends or people younger than you, you can say 도움이 필요해 by dropping the 요 at the end.
How does it change in a sentence?
While 도움이 필요해요 states a state of need, 도움을 주세요 is a more direct request for someone to actually perform an action to help you.
How do you pronounce it?
Doumi piryohaeyo
Did you know?
- In an emergency, Koreans often shout 살려주세요 ('save me') instead of 도움이 필요해요 ('I need help') to signal a life-threatening situation.
- Korea has a professional class of assistants called 도우미 (doumi), derived from the same root as 도움, who work in various service industries from hotels to hospitals.
- To ask for a small favor rather than general assistance, Koreans often use the word 부탁 (request) instead of 도움 (help).
Examples in context
- 도움 필요해. 길을 잃어버렸어.I need help. I am lost.
- 도움 필요해요. 과제를 이해하지 못해서 도와주세요.I need help. I don't understand the assignment, so please help me.
- 도와줄래? 이 과제 잘 모르겠어.Can you help me? I don't really know this assignment.
- 도움이 필요해요.doumi piryohaeyo.I need help.
- 짐 옮기는 데 도움이 필요해요.jim omgineun de doumi piryohaeyo.I need help moving these bags.
- 여기서 도움이 필요해요.yeogiseo doumi piryohaeyo.I need help here.
Example conversation
Minji is struggling with a heavy box in the office.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 도움이 필요해요.Minjun ssi, doumi piryohaeyo.Minjun, I need help.
- 민준 Min-jun네, 제가 도와드릴게요.ne, jega dowadeurilgeyo.Yes, I will help you.
- 민지 Min-ji이 상자가 너무 무거워요.i sangjaga neomu mugeowoyo.This box is too heavy.
- 민준 Min-jun같이 들어서 옮깁시다.gati deureose omgipsida.Let's lift and move it together.
