Meaning
A direct request for assistance.
Cultural Background
Germans value directness. If you need help, it's better to ask clearly than to wait for someone to notice. In Austria, people might use 'Helfen Sie mir' even in slightly less formal situations compared to Northern Germany, but 'Hilf mir' remains standard among friends. Swiss German speakers often use 'Chasch mer hälfe?' (Can you help me?) which is technically a question but functions as a common request. On German social media, #hilfmir is often used in a humorous way when someone is overwhelmed by a minor problem, like a difficult video game level.
Add 'mal'
Adding 'mal' makes you sound much more like a native speaker and less like you're giving an order.
Dative Alert
Always use 'mir', never 'mich'. This is the #1 mistake for English speakers.
Meaning
A direct request for assistance.
Add 'mal'
Adding 'mal' makes you sound much more like a native speaker and less like you're giving an order.
Dative Alert
Always use 'mir', never 'mich'. This is the #1 mistake for English speakers.
Plural Form
If you are talking to two friends, say 'Helft mir!' instead of 'Hilf mir!'.
Be Specific
After saying 'Hilf mir!', immediately say what you need help with to be culturally appropriate.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct dative pronoun.
Ich kann das nicht alleine machen. Hilf ___!
The verb 'helfen' always takes the dative pronoun 'mir'.
Which form is the correct informal imperative for 'du'?
___ mir bitte mit {den|m} Hausaufgaben!
The singular informal imperative of 'helfen' is 'Hilf'.
Match the phrase to the correct person.
To whom would you say 'Hilf mir!'?
'Hilf mir!' is informal and should only be used with people you are close to.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Der Schrank ist so schwer!' B: 'Kein Problem, ich ___ ___.'
In a statement (not a command), you use 'ich helfe' + dative 'dir' (to you).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal Help
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch kann das nicht alleine machen. Hilf ___!
The verb 'helfen' always takes the dative pronoun 'mir'.
___ mir bitte mit {den|m} Hausaufgaben!
The singular informal imperative of 'helfen' is 'Hilf'.
To whom would you say 'Hilf mir!'?
'Hilf mir!' is informal and should only be used with people you are close to.
A: 'Der Schrank ist so schwer!' B: 'Kein Problem, ich ___ ___.'
In a statement (not a command), you use 'ich helfe' + dative 'dir' (to you).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsOnly in a real emergency. Otherwise, use 'Helfen Sie mir'.
The verb 'helfen' is a dative verb in German, meaning its object must be in the dative case.
It means 'Help me for a second' or 'Give me a hand'. The 'mal' softens the command.
Among friends, no. With strangers or superiors, yes.
You say 'Hilf uns!' (to one person) or 'Helft uns!' (to multiple people).
If you are asking multiple friends, say 'Helft mir!'.
Only in a very informal email to a friend. In professional emails, use 'Ich bitte um Ihre Unterstützung'.
Just shouting 'Hilfe!' is shorter and works in emergencies.
Yes, always. No exceptions.
'Helfen' is for general help; 'unterstützen' is more like 'to support' or 'to back someone up'.
Related Phrases
Hilfe!
similarHelp!
Helfen Sie mir!
specialized formHelp me (formal)
Unterstütz mich!
similarSupport me!
Greif mir unter die Arme!
synonymGive me a hand!
Steh mir bei!
similarStand by me!
