To help someone by contributing your time or effort to their task.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to offer support for tasks and work.
- Commonly used with family, friends, and colleagues.
- Essential verb for daily cooperative communication.
概要
「てつだう（手伝う）」は、他者の負担を減らすために協力するという意味を持つ、日本語学習者が最も早い段階で習得する動詞の一つです。単に作業を代わるだけでなく、相手の目的を達成するために協力するというポジティブなニュアンスが含まれています。2) 使用パターン: 基本的な文型は「人＋を＋てつだう」または「作業内容＋を＋てつだう」です。また、「～するのをてつだう」という形で、具体的な動作のサポートを表現することもできます。3) 一般的な文脈: 家族の家事の手伝い、同僚との業務協力、友人の引っ越し作業など、公私問わず非常に汎用性が高い言葉です。目上の人に対して使う場合は「手伝っていただけますか」のように丁寧な依頼形にするのが一般的です。4) 類語との比較: 「助ける（たすける）」は、相手が困っている状況から救い出すという「救済」のニュアンスが強く、「手伝う」は作業の分担やサポートという「協力」のニュアンスが強いのが特徴です。
Examples
宿題を手伝ってください。
everydayPlease help me with my homework.
何かお手伝いできることはありますか？
formalIs there anything I can do to help?
引っ越しを手伝ってくれてありがとう。
informalThanks for helping me move.
研究のデータ収集を手伝う。
academicTo assist with research data collection.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
お手伝いしましょうか？
Shall I help you?
手伝ってくれてありがとう
Thank you for helping me
手伝いが必要ですか？
Do you need any help?
Often Confused With
Tasukeru implies saving someone from a difficult or dangerous situation. Tetsudau is focused on sharing the workload.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Tetsudau is used in both formal and informal settings, but the conjugation must change accordingly. Use 'otetsudai' when speaking about helping others politely. It is a versatile verb suitable for almost any level of Japanese proficiency.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use it to mean 'save a life,' which is incorrect; use 'tasukeru' instead. Another error is using the plain form toward superiors, which sounds rude. Always ensure the level of politeness matches the relationship.
Tips
Use with honorifics for superiors
When offering help to someone senior, use 'お手伝いしましょうか？' to sound polite and considerate.
Avoid direct commands
Never use '手伝って' to a boss or professor, as it sounds like an order. Always use the 'te-form + kudasai' or request forms.
The spirit of cooperation
In Japan, offering help before being asked is often seen as a sign of maturity and teamwork.
Word Origin
The word comes from 'te' (hand) and 'tsudau' (to join or assemble). It literally means joining hands to perform a task.
Cultural Context
In Japan, proactively offering help is a social virtue. It reflects the concept of 'wa' (harmony) within a group.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Tetsudau' as 'Te' (hand) + 'Tsudau' (join/gather). You are joining your hands with someone else's work.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions直接的すぎるため、失礼に聞こえる可能性があります。「お手伝いしましょうか？」や「手伝っていただけますか？」と丁寧に言うのが望ましいです。
「手伝う」は作業を一緒にすることを指し、「助ける」は困難な状況から救い出すことを指します。
「手伝いました」になります。否定形は「手伝いませんでした」です。
はい、あります。「家のお手伝い」のように、手伝う行為そのものを名詞として使うことができます。
Test Yourself
重い荷物を持っているので、少し___くれませんか？
依頼をする文脈なので、「〜てくれませんか」という形が必要です。
Score: /1
Summary
To help someone by contributing your time or effort to their task.
- Used to offer support for tasks and work.
- Commonly used with family, friends, and colleagues.
- Essential verb for daily cooperative communication.
Use with honorifics for superiors
When offering help to someone senior, use 'お手伝いしましょうか？' to sound polite and considerate.
Avoid direct commands
Never use '手伝って' to a boss or professor, as it sounds like an order. Always use the 'te-form + kudasai' or request forms.
The spirit of cooperation
In Japan, offering help before being asked is often seen as a sign of maturity and teamwork.
Examples
4 of 4宿題を手伝ってください。
Please help me with my homework.
何かお手伝いできることはありますか？
Is there anything I can do to help?
引っ越しを手伝ってくれてありがとう。
Thanks for helping me move.
研究のデータ収集を手伝う。
To assist with research data collection.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More general words
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
ごろ
A2About, approximately (time).
うえ
A2At a higher position than.
絶対
B1Absolutely; definitely; never.
絶対に
B1Absolutely; definitely.
