1.
help!; save me!; someone help (me)!
A cry for help in an emergency. Grammatically the te-form of 助ける ('to save, rescue, help'), used on its own as a complete utterance. It is the standard Japanese equivalent of shouting 'help!' in English.
2.
(please) help me; give me a hand
A casual request for assistance with a task. In this softer use, the speaker is asking for cooperation or support rather than calling for rescue. Often said to friends or family.
The te-form of 助ける, used as a standalone imperative. Functions as both an urgent cry for help and a casual request for assistance, depending on tone and context.
Usage
- Sense 1 (emergency): Shouted loudly. Common in danger, accidents, crimes, and moments of panic. Children in particular are taught this word as the standard cry for help.
- Sense 2 (casual request): Spoken at normal volume, often with のばし (助けて〜) or with a softer particle such as ね or よ. Often paired with subjects like homework, carrying things, or cooking.
- The polite form is 助けてください ('please help [me]'); the humble request form is 助けていただけますか.
Common collocations
- 誰か助けて: somebody help!
- 助けてください: please help me (polite)
- 助けて!と叫ぶ: to shout 'help!'
- 助けてくれ: help me (masculine/plain imperative form)
- 助けてくれない?: could you help me? (casual request)
Similar words
- 手を貸して: lend me a hand — casual request only, not for emergencies
- お願い: please (often used with 助けて for emphasis: お願い、助けて)
- 救って: save me — more literary; rare in modern speech
Cultural note
- In Japanese safety education, children are taught to shout this word clearly when in danger. Some public awareness campaigns encourage bystanders to respond to anyone they hear shouting 助けて by calling police or intervening.