Japanese word

手伝う

Pronunciation

Romajitetsudau

Meaning

  • verbhelp

Example

母を手伝います。haha o te tsuda i ma su

I help my mother.

Illustration for 手伝う (help)

More examples

妹の宿題を手伝います。imōto no shuku dai o te tsuda i ma su

I help my sister with her homework.

週末は父の店を手伝います。shū matsu wa chichi no mise o te tsuda i ma su

I help at my father's shop on weekends.

Core concept

Describes joining someone in an activity so that the person's task becomes easier to complete.

Common phrases

  • 家事を手伝うka ji o te tsuda u

    help with housework

  • 仕事を手伝うshi goto o te tsuda u

    help with work

  • 宿題を手伝うshuku dai o te tsuda u

    help with homework

  • 引っ越しを手伝うhi kko shi o te tsuda u

    help with moving

  • 手伝ってくださいte tsuda tte ku da sa i

    Please help

Similar words

助けるtasukeru: To make a person's situation or task better by providing needed support.
手助けするtedasukesuru: To give practical support while a person carries out a task.
協力するkyōryokusuru: To join others in working toward the same goal.

Definition in Japanese

他人と一緒に仕事や作業を行い、その負担を軽くする。ta nin to is sho ni shi goto ya sa gyō o okona i so no fu tan o karu ku su ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 手伝う (tetsudau, "to help") combines 手 (te, "hand") with the old verb 伝う (tsutau, "to go along with"), expressing the idea of lending a hand.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this verb covers helping with both physical tasks and routine duties, such as cooking, cleaning, or moving something.

Opposites

  • 邪魔するjamasuruhinderverb

Related words

Word lists with this word