tu as besoin d'aide
The English phrase 'you need help' is translated into French as tu as besoin d'aide.
This phrase is used to make a statement telling someone that they require assistance to complete a task.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built literally as 'you have need of help'.
Which one should you use?
While tu as besoin d'aide is a statement of fact, you can turn it into the question 'Do you need help?' by raising your intonation at the end of the sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify what the person needs help with, use the preposition pour followed by a noun or an infinitive verb, such as in tu as besoin d'aide pour… When speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people, use the polite form vous avez besoin d'aide instead of tu as besoin d'aide.
Did you know?
- The French word for 'need', besoin, comes from an Old Frankish word that originally meant 'to look after'. This reflects an ancient Germanic influence on the French language.
- Using the informal tu when telling someone they need help can be interpreted as condescending or overly familiar depending on the social rank of the speakers.
- The word besoin is a masculine relative of the word besogne, which refers to a task or piece of work. This connects the very concept of 'need' to the actual labour one must perform.
Examples in context
- Tu as besoin d'aide en cuisine ?Do you need help in the kitchen?This example shows how to ask a question about needing help in the kitchen using tu as besoin d'aide.Tatoeba #10504658 by lbdx, translation #10492927 by Hybrid
- Je pense que tu as besoin d'aide.I think you need help.This sentence uses tu as besoin d'aide to express a thought or opinion.Tatoeba #2410594 by sacredceltic, translation #2408626 by CK
- Si tu as besoin d'aide, demande !If you need help, just ask.This example uses tu as besoin d'aide within a conditional statement about asking for help.Tatoeba #4833562 by sacredceltic, translation #2462626 by CK
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan sees Léa struggling with several heavy boxes.
- NathanLéa, tu as besoin d'aide ?Léa, do you need help?
- LéaOui, s'il te plaît, c'est très lourd.Yes, please, it is very heavy.
- NathanDonne-moi la plus grande boîte.Give me the biggest box.
- LéaMerci beaucoup, Nathan.Thank you very much, Nathan.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries as, besoin, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
