Ich brauche deine Hilfe
The English phrase "I need your help" is expressed in German as Ich brauche deine Hilfe.
This phrase is used to tell someone that you require their assistance.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun Hilfe means "help". Because Hilfe is a feminine noun, the possessive pronoun deine ends in -e to match it.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for "your" changes depending on who you are addressing and the level of formality. Use Ihre instead of deine when speaking to a stranger, a superior or in a formal professional setting. If you are addressing more than one person whom you address informally, such as a group of friends, use eure instead of deine. To express the phrase in the past tense, change the verb brauche to brauchte, resulting in Ich brauchte deine Hilfe (I needed your help).
Did you know?
- While Ich brauche deine Hilfe is the direct translation, Germans often use Könntest du mir bitte helfen? to be more polite. Using brauchen can sometimes sound too demanding or desperate depending on the tone.
- The spelling of Hilfe was not always fixed. Until the early 20th century, the northern variant Hülfe was more common before a spelling reform made Hilfe the exclusive standard.
- If a German shouts Hilfe! in public, it is treated as an emergency signal for immediate danger, similar to shouting 'Help!' in English.
Examples in context
- Tom, ich brauche deine Hilfe.Tom, I need your help.This example shows how to address someone by name while saying you need their help.Tatoeba #1517691 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1023869 by CK
- Ich brauche deine Hilfe bei etwas.I need your help on something.This example shows how to specify what you need help with.Tatoeba #10046343 by Melang, translation #3162133 by CK
- Ich glaube, ich brauche deine Hilfe.I think I need your help.This example shows how to express a thought or uncertainty about needing help.Tatoeba #10106366 by wolfgangth, translation #2407822 by CK
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah is trying to move a heavy piece of furniture in the living room.
- SarahLukas, ich brauche deine Hilfe!Lukas, I need your help!
- LukasSoll ich dir mit dem Schrank helfen?Should I help you with the cupboard?
- SarahJa, bitte, er ist sehr schwer.Yes, please, it is very heavy.
- LukasKein Problem, ich packe mit an.No problem, I'll lend a hand.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Hilfe, Ich, ich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
