Meaning
An informal request for assistance.
Cultural Background
In France, asking for help often starts with 'Excuse-moi' even with friends, to acknowledge you are interrupting them. In Quebec, the 'tu' is used much more quickly with strangers in casual settings like cafes or shops. In many French-speaking African countries, 'Peux-tu m'aider ?' might be followed by 's'il te plaît' multiple times as a sign of deep respect for the person's time.
Add 's'il te plaît'
Always add 's'il te plaît' at the end to sound much more natural and polite.
The 'Tu' Trap
Don't use this with your French teacher unless they specifically asked you to use 'tu'!
Meaning
An informal request for assistance.
Add 's'il te plaît'
Always add 's'il te plaît' at the end to sound much more natural and polite.
The 'Tu' Trap
Don't use this with your French teacher unless they specifically asked you to use 'tu'!
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct pronoun and verb form.
Peux-tu ___aider ?
We use 'm'' because 'aider' starts with a vowel.
Which sentence is the most natural for a friend?
Asking for help:
'Peux-tu' is the informal version used with friends.
What would you say if you can't carry a heavy box?
Moi: 'C'est trop lourd ! ______'
You are asking 'Can YOU help ME?'.
Match the French to the English.
Match the following:
Matching subject and object pronouns is key.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesPeux-tu ___aider ?
We use 'm'' because 'aider' starts with a vowel.
Asking for help:
'Peux-tu' is the informal version used with friends.
Moi: 'C'est trop lourd ! ______'
You are asking 'Can YOU help ME?'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matching subject and object pronouns is key.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsNo, it is informal because it uses 'tu'. For formal situations, use 'Pouvez-vous m'aider ?'.
In French, when 'me' is followed by a vowel, it contracts to 'm'' to make it easier to say.
Yes! In fact, 'Tu peux m'aider ?' is more common in spoken French than the inverted 'Peux-tu m'aider ?'.
Related Phrases
Donner un coup de main
synonymTo give a helping hand
Dépanner quelqu'un
specialized formTo bail someone out / help with a fix
Rendre service
similarTo do a favor
