Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Help" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "help", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
手伝います
てつだいます (tetsudaimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
お手伝い
おてつだい (otetsudai)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "help" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 手伝います and お手伝い.
In Japanese, 手伝います (てつだいます (tetsudaimasu)) is typically associated with "to help" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Transitive verb. Used when offering assistance or helping with a task. Often followed by the particle を.
On the other hand, お手伝い (おてつだい (otetsudai)) maps to "help; assistance; helper (polite term)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A polite noun meaning 'help' or 'assistance', often referring to helping with household chores or simple tasks. It can also refer to a 'helper'. Verb form is 手伝う. A literal translation of "help" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "手伝います"
母の料理を手伝います。
I help my mother cook.
Bilingual Context for "お手伝い"
母の料理のお手伝いをしました。
I helped my mother with her cooking.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "母の料理を ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I help my mother cook.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "手伝います" fits here because it means "to help" in the context of: "I help my mother cook.". "お手伝い" represents "help; assistance; helper (polite term)".