Bedeutung
An invitation to take food or drink freely, without needing permission.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In the US, 'Help yourself' is a sign of a good host who wants guests to feel like family. It is very common at 'potluck' dinners or backyard BBQs. British hosts use this frequently for tea and biscuits. It is polite but slightly more reserved than the American usage. While the phrase exists, Japanese guests may hesitate to 'help themselves' immediately due to 'enryo' (restraint). A host might need to say it several times. Hospitality is very proactive. A host will often serve the guest first. Telling a guest to 'help themselves' might be seen as slightly less hospitable than serving them directly.
The 'To' Rule
Always use 'to' if you name the object. 'Help yourself TO the pizza.'
Plural Power
Don't forget to say 'yourselves' if you are talking to two or more people!
Bedeutung
An invitation to take food or drink freely, without needing permission.
The 'To' Rule
Always use 'to' if you name the object. 'Help yourself TO the pizza.'
Plural Power
Don't forget to say 'yourselves' if you are talking to two or more people!
Sarcasm Check
If you use this sarcastically, roll your eyes slightly to make sure the other person knows you are joking (or annoyed).
Host vs Guest
Only the person who 'owns' or 'controls' the items should say 'Help yourself.'
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct reflexive pronoun.
If you all are hungry, please help _______ to the pizza on the table.
Since the speaker is addressing a group ('you all'), the plural 'yourselves' is required.
Which sentence uses the correct preposition?
Choose the correct sentence:
The standard idiom is 'help yourself to [something]'.
Match the phrase to the most likely situation.
In which situation would you say 'Help yourself'?
'Help yourself' is used to give permission for self-service.
Complete the dialogue.
Guest: 'Can I use your phone to make a quick call?' Host: 'Sure, ________.'
The host is giving the guest permission to use an object.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Yourself vs. Yourselves
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenIf you all are hungry, please help _______ to the pizza on the table.
Since the speaker is addressing a group ('you all'), the plural 'yourselves' is required.
Choose the correct sentence:
The standard idiom is 'help yourself to [something]'.
In which situation would you say 'Help yourself'?
'Help yourself' is used to give permission for self-service.
Guest: 'Can I use your phone to make a quick call?' Host: 'Sure, ________.'
The host is giving the guest permission to use an object.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenNo, it is usually very friendly! It shows that the host trusts you and wants you to feel comfortable.
Only if you are giving it away! Otherwise, 'helping yourself to money' usually means stealing it.
'Help yourself' is mostly for food or objects. 'Be my guest' is for actions, like letting someone go through a door first.
Use 'yourself' for one person and 'yourselves' for a group.
Yes, if you are offering them something, like a napkin or a seat on a bus.
Yes, for things like water, coffee, or handouts. 'There are copies of the agenda on the table; help yourselves.'
A simple 'Thank you!' or 'Thanks, I will!' is perfect.
Technically yes, but social rules suggest you should only take a reasonable amount!
Yes, it's very common on websites: 'Help yourself to our free templates.'
It's similar but more formal and less 'warm' than 'Help yourself.'
Because it's an invitation. By saying it when someone *already* took something, you are pointing out that they didn't wait for the invitation.
Yes, it is very common in all dialects of English.
No, that sounds very strange and potentially suggestive. Avoid it!
Food, drinks, and office supplies are the top three!
Verwandte Redewendungen
Be my guest
similarGo ahead; you have my permission.
Dig in
specialized formStart eating enthusiastically.
Make yourself at home
builds onRelax and act as if you are in your own house.
Feel free
similarYou have permission to do something.
Help yourself to
specialized formTake a specific item.
