In German
helfen
Meaning: to help
Formal or informal? “Helfen” is the everyday verb for help. It asks for the dative, so you say “dir” and “mir”, never “dich” and “mich”.
Example sentences
Ichhelfedirgern.
I'm happy to help you.
Hilfstdumirbitte?
Will you help me, please?
ErhilftseinerMutterimGarten.
He helps his mother in the garden.
Grammar note
Regular endings: ich helfe, du hilfst, er hilft, wir helfen. The stem changes e to i in the du and er forms, so “hilfst” and “hilft”. “Helfen” takes the dative: “Ich helfe dir”.
Common mistake
Don't use the accusative after “helfen”. Say “Ich helfe dir” (dative), not “Ich helfe dich”.
Quick check
Which form is correct for “you help” (du)?
More words on this topic
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Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
Why do you say “ich helfe dir” and not “ich helfe dich”?
“Helfen” takes the dative case, so the object is “dir” (to you), not the accusative “dich”.
How do you ask someone for help politely?
“Können Sie mir bitte helfen?” with the formal “Sie”, or “Kannst du mir helfen?” informally.