donner un coup de main
The English phrase "lend a helping hand" is translated into French as donner un coup de main.
The phrase is used to express the act of providing assistance or helping someone with a task.
Which one should you use?
While donner un coup de main is the standard colloquial way to express providing assistance, you may encounter more formal alternatives like apporter une assistance or venir en aide.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Donner un coup de main is an informal, colloquial way to say "lend a helping hand". For more formal situations, you should use apporter une assistance (to provide assistance) or venir en aide (to come to someone's aid).
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to specify the person receiving the help, you must use the preposition à before that person, such as donner un coup de main à Marie.
Did you know?
- While English uses the gentle metaphor of 'lending' a hand, the French expression donner un coup de main literally translates to 'giving a blow of a hand'.
- The word coup in this phrase originally comes from the Ancient Greek word kólaphos, which referred to a blow or a slap delivered with the open hand.
- In French, the word coup is used in dozens of idiomatic expressions to describe a sudden action, such as un coup de foudre for love at first sight.
Examples in context
- Il est important de toujours être prêt à venir en aide à ceux qui en ont besoin.It's important to always be ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.
- Nous devrions tous être disposés à apporter une assistance aux personnes qui en ont besoin.We should all be willing to lend a helping hand to those who need it.
- Je peux te donner un coup de main pour déménager ce week-end si tu veux.I can lend you a helping hand with moving this weekend if you'd like.
- J'ai besoin que tu me donnes un coup de pouce pour finir ce projet.I need you to lend me a helping hand to finish this project.
- Tu peux me donner un coup de main avec ces cartons ?Can you lend me a helping hand with these boxes?
- Elle est toujours prête à donner un coup de main.She is always ready to lend a helping hand.
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are in the kitchen preparing a large meal.
- NathanLéa, tu peux me donner un coup de main ?Léa, can you give me a helping hand?
- LéaBien sûr, je vais t'aider avec les légumes.Of course, I will help you with the vegetables.
- NathanC'est gentil, merci beaucoup.That's kind, thank you very much.
- LéaDe rien, Nathan, c'est avec plaisir.You're welcome, Nathan, it's my pleasure.
