助けてください
formal
The Japanese phrase for "please help me" is 助けてください. Wiktionary also lists 助けて (tasukete).
Meaning: please help me (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 助けてください | formal | ||
| 助けて | tasukete | [ta̠sɨ̥ke̞te̞] (narrow) | informal |
In life-threatening emergencies, people often shout the short form 助けて rather than the full polite version.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 助けて is the te-form of the verb tasukeru, meaning 'to help' or 'to save'. Adding ください to the te-form of a verb creates a polite request.
Which one should you use?
The form 助けて is used in urgent, informal or casual situations, such as shouting for help in an emergency.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
助けてください is formal. 助けていただけますか is a polite and formal way to ask for assistance. お手伝いをお願いします is a formal way to say "please help me". For casual situations, you can use the informal 助けて or the casual way of seeking help 助けてくれる？
Did you know?
- Using 助けて when you simply need help finding a train station could sound alarmingly dramatic to a native speaker, as if you are being kidnapped.
- In Japanese, 助けて specifically implies being rescued from a crisis or danger, whereas 手伝って is used for help with a task like carrying bags.
- If you are asking for help with a physical object, Japanese speakers often use the word 手 meaning 'hand', as seen in the formal phrase お手伝い.
Examples in context
- 助けてください。Please help me.Tatoeba #1039551 by bunbuku, translation #262424 by CK
- 誰か、私を助けてください。Someone, please help me.Tatoeba #1627245 by mookeee, translation #1627241 by Spamster
- すみません、助けてくれる？地下鉄の駅はどこ？Excuse me, could you help me out? Where is the subway station?
- お手伝いをお願いします。この商品の値段はいくらですか？Please assist me. How much does this item cost?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki is struggling to carry a large box.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さん、ちょっと助けてください。Youta-san, chotto tasukete kudasai.Youta, please help me for a moment.
- 陽太 Yotaいいですよ。持ちますね。Ii desu yo. Mochimasu ne.Sure. I'll hold it for you.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
- 陽太 Yotaいえいえ、気にしないでください。Ie ie, kinishinaide kudasai.No problem, don't mention it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please help me” translations and entries 助けて, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
