🙏🤝

How to Say ‘Could you help me?’ in Japanese

手伝っていただけますか。

tetsudatsu te itadake masu ka

[teh-tsoo-DAHT teh ee-tah-DAH-keh mahs ka]

💬 Usage Tip: 〜ていただけますか is a polite way to ask a favor: swap the verb, as in 確認していただけますか "Could you check it?"

🇯🇵 In Japan: This level of politeness fits asking a colleague or senior for help in a meeting; with close peers you might hear the lighter 手伝ってくれる?.

Phrase Breakdown

手伝って

tetsudatsu te

help (te-form)

Tetsudatte. This is the te-form of 手伝う (to help). Pause briefly at っ.

Example

ちょっと手伝って。

Help me a bit.

Words in this phrase

手伝っ

tetsudatsu

[teh-tsoo-DAHT]

help

Te-form stem of 手伝う, to help or assist someone.

Example

同僚を手伝った。

I helped a coworker.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

いただけますか。

itadake masu ka

could you (kindly)?

Itadakemasu ka. This makes a very polite request.

Example

見せていただけますか。

Could you show me?

Words in this phrase

いただけ

itadake

[ee-tah-DAH-keh]

can (humbly) receive; you can

Potential form of いただく; with お+stem it politely means 'you may do'.

Example

こちらでお待ちいただけます。

You may wait here.

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite present/future ending

ます makes a verb polite in present or future statements.

Example

予約します。

I will make a reservation.

か

[ka]

question particle

Used to create a yes/no question in informal speech.

Example

行くか？

Shall we go?

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