Meaning
Asking for assistance.
Cultural Background
Ukrainians value directness but also formal respect. Using 'Ви' (plural you) and 'будь ласка' is essential to avoid appearing demanding. In Lviv, you might hear even more formal variations like 'Прошу пана/пані' (I beg you, sir/madam) added to the request. In the capital, people are busy. A quick 'Допоможіть, будь ласка' followed immediately by your question is the most effective way to get help. In villages, the community is tight-knit. People might help you before you even finish the phrase, but the 'будь ласка' is still a sign of good character.
Eye Contact
When saying this to a stranger, make brief eye contact and smile slightly to show you are friendly.
Don't skip 'Будь ласка'
Saying just 'Допоможіть!' sounds like a command or a desperate scream. Always add 'будь ласка' for everyday requests.
Meaning
Asking for assistance.
Eye Contact
When saying this to a stranger, make brief eye contact and smile slightly to show you are friendly.
Don't skip 'Будь ласка'
Saying just 'Допоможіть!' sounds like a command or a desperate scream. Always add 'будь ласка' for everyday requests.
The 'Excuse Me' Combo
Start with 'Вибачте' (Excuse me) before 'Допоможіть' for maximum politeness.
Test Yourself
Choose the most polite form to ask a stranger for help.
Вибачте, ______ , будь ласка!
The plural form 'допоможіть' is the standard polite imperative for strangers.
Complete the phrase with the correct 'please' formula.
Допоможіть, ______ ______ !
'Будь ласка' is the universal way to say 'please' in Ukrainian.
Match the Ukrainian phrase to its English context.
1. Допоможіть! 2. Підкажіть, будь ласка. 3. Допоможи мені.
'Допоможіть' is for emergencies, 'Підкажіть' for info, and 'Допоможи' for friends.
Complete the dialogue in a shop.
Покупець: Вибачте, ______ , будь ласка, де молоко? Продавець: Ось тут, праворуч.
While 'допоможіть' works, 'підкажіть' (tell/suggest) is more natural when asking for the location of an item.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Допоможіть'
Travel
- • Finding a gate
- • Carrying bags
- • Buying tickets
Daily Life
- • Opening a jar
- • Reaching a shelf
- • Finding a street
Practice Bank
4 exercisesВибачте, ______ , будь ласка!
The plural form 'допоможіть' is the standard polite imperative for strangers.
Допоможіть, ______ ______ !
'Будь ласка' is the universal way to say 'please' in Ukrainian.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
'Допоможіть' is for emergencies, 'Підкажіть' for info, and 'Допоможи' for friends.
Покупець: Вибачте, ______ , будь ласка, де молоко? Продавець: Ось тут, праворуч.
While 'допоможіть' works, 'підкажіть' (tell/suggest) is more natural when asking for the location of an item.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsOnly in a real emergency. In any other situation, it sounds rude without 'будь ласка'.
It is always two separate words: 'будь' and 'ласка'.
'Допоможіть' is for general help (carrying bags, fixing things), while 'підкажіть' is for information (directions, time).
You can use the singular 'Допоможи, будь ласка'.
Yes, in writing, it is usually set off by a comma.
Related Phrases
Підкажіть, будь ласка
similarTell me, please / Suggest, please
Рятуйте!
specialized formSave me!
Вибачте за турботу
builds onSorry for the trouble
Дякую за допомогу
contrastThank you for the help
