Let’s explore different ways to say “Help” in Japanese, and who knows, save the day! After all, you never know when you might need a helping hand, right? Ready to learn different ways to ask for help in Japanese like tasukete, komatte, tetsudatte, and others?
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Table of Contents
助けて (Tasukete) – Help
Starting with the most well-known and widely used expression to ask for help in Japanese, we have 助けて (Tasukete). This word can be used in various situations, from a cry for help in a moment of danger to a simple request for assistance when you can’t reach something on the highest shelf. So, take note: 助けて (Tasukete)!
助けてください (Tasukete kudasai)
Want to be more polite when asking for help? Just add ください (kudasai) at the end of 助けて (Tasukete). Now you have 助けてください (Tasukete kudasai), which basically means “Please, help me”.
This form is more polite and can be used with strangers or in more formal situations. Elegant, isn’t it? Using Kudasai also increases the volume of the plea, as if you were asking please or begging for help!
助けてくれ (Tasukete kure)
If you are in an emergency situation and need immediate help, 助けてくれ (Tasukete kure) is the expression you should use. This form is more casual and emphatic, conveying urgency in the cry for help. But remember, it’s more suitable for informal conversations or real danger situations.
助けてお願いします (Tasukete onegaishimasu)
If you are a fan of manga and anime, you must have heard this expression several times. 助けてお願いします (Tasukete onegaishimasu). This combination is used to emphasize the request for help and is quite common in the world of anime and manga.
困っています (Komatteimasu) – Difficulties
Imagine that you are in an uncomfortable situation and need help, but you don’t want to cause a fuss. In this case, you can use 困っています (Komatteimasu), which means “I am in trouble” or “I am in a bind”. This expression is more subtle, allowing you to ask for help without drawing too much attention.
This expression is derived from the verb 困る (komaru), which means “to be in difficulty” or “to be in trouble”. Let’s see some examples of how to use this expression:
My phone died, and I am in trouble.
電話が切れてしまって、困っています Denwa ga kirete shimatte, komatteimasu
I have too much homework and I am in a bind.
宿題が多すぎて困っています Shukudai ga oosugite komatteimasu
手伝って (Tetsudatte) – Help me
手伝って (Tetsudatte) is another useful expression to ask for help in Japanese. Derived from the verb 手伝う (tetsudau), which means “to help” or “to assist”, this expression can be used when you need practical help with a task. For example:
Help me with the moving preparations.
引っ越しの準備を手伝って Hikkoshi no junbi o tetsudatte
助言して (Jogen shite) – Advise me
If you are looking for advice or guidance, you can use 助言して (Jogen shite) to ask for help. This expression comes from the verb 助言する (jogen suru), which means “to advise” or “to guide”. Here’s an example:
Advise me about my professional future.
将来の仕事について助言して Shourai no shigoto ni tsuite jogen shite
よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu)
Although it is not a direct request for help, よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu) is a widely used expression in Japanese to indicate that you are counting on someone’s help.
We recommend reading: Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu, What does it mean?
教えて (Oshiete) – Teach me
If you are seeking information or instructions, you can use 教えて (Oshiete), which comes from the verb 教える (oshieru), meaning “to teach” or “to inform”. This expression is useful when you want someone to teach you something or explain something. For example:
Teach me the way to the station.
駅までの道を教えて Eki made no michi o oshiete
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