How to Say ‘Help!’ in Japanese
助けてください。
tasuke te kudasai
[tah-soo-keh teh koo-dah-sigh]
💬 Usage Tip: [助けて] comes from the verb "help," and [ください] makes it a request: "please help." In emergencies, people may shout just [助けて!] without [ください].
Phrase Breakdown
助け
tasuke
[tah-soo-keh]
help
The verb stem of 助ける, to help or save. Important in emergencies.
助けてください、けがをしました。
Please help me, I’m injured.
て
te
[teh]
te-form ending
Connects the verb to ください to make a request.
助けてください、道に迷いました。
Please help me, I’m lost.
ください
kudasai
[koo-dah-sigh]
please
Makes the request polite but urgent depending on context.
すぐ助けてください。
Please help me right away.
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