Translation and Meaning of: 手伝う - tetsudau

The Japanese word 手伝う (てつだう, tetsudau) is essential for anyone looking to learn the language and understand more about Japanese culture. It carries practical meanings and also reflects important social values. In this article, we will explore its meaning, everyday use, components of the kanji, and how it is perceived by native speakers. If you are looking for a reliable dictionary to deepen your studies, Suki Nihongo offers detailed explanations about terms like this one.

Meaning and usage of 手伝う

手伝う means "to help" or "to lend a hand," but with a specific nuance. Unlike 助ける (たすける, tasukeru), which implies assistance in more critical situations, 手伝う is used for everyday tasks or simple collaborations. For example, helping to set the table or assisting a coworker with a light task.

In Japan, offering help without being intrusive is valued. Using 手伝う sounds more casual and less imposing than other similar verbs. It is common to hear it in family or informal professional contexts, especially when the assistance is temporary or supplementary.

The kanji 手伝う and its origin

The writing of 手伝う combines two kanjis: 手 (て, te), which means "hand," and 伝 (つた, tsuta), related to "transmit" or "pass on." Together, they suggest the idea of "lending hands" to share a task. This composition well reflects the collaborative sense of the word.

It is worth noting that 伝 by itself is not read as "tsuda" – the reading てつだう is specific to this verb. This type of irregular combination is common in Japanese verbs and can be a challenge for students. One tip is to associate the kanji 手 with physical actions, which makes memorization easier.

Cultural curiosities and frequency of use

手伝う (tetsudau) appears frequently in everyday dialogues, but rarely in formal speeches. In companies, for example, it is more common to hear 協力する (きょうりょくする, kyōryoku suru) for teamwork projects. At home, parents usually ask children to 手伝って (てつだって, tetsudatte) with household chores.

A common mistake among learners is using 手伝う in situations that require urgency, such as accidents. In these cases, 助けて (たすけて, tasukete) is more appropriate. Observing these differences in animes or dramas can help internalize the right contexts for each verb.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 手伝う

• 手伝う て tsudao- Present positive form
• 手伝わない て tsudowanai- Present negative form
• 手伝った て tsudatta- Past positive form
• 手伝わなかった て tsudowanakatta- Past negative form
• 手伝いましょう て tsudaimashou- Present polite form

Synonyms and similar words

• 手を貸す (Te wo kasu) - Offer help; lend a hand.
• 助ける (Tasukeru) - Save; help in a critical situation.
• 協力する (Kyōryoku suru) - Cooperate; work together.
• 援助する (Enjo suru) - Support; to offer assistance, usually in situations of need.
• 支援する (Shien suru) - Provide support; offer assistance, often in an organizational or financial context.

手伝う

Romaji: tetsudau
Kana: てつだう
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: to help; assistant; to participate

Meaning in English: to help;to assist;to take part in

Definition: Helping other people or things.

Example Sentences - (手伝う) tetsudau

See below some example sentences:

私は友達に料理を手伝う。

Watashi wa tomodachi ni ryouri o tetsudau

I help my friend cook.

I help my friends cook.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case, "friend"
• 料理 (ryouri) - noun that means "to cook" or "cuisine"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "to cook"
• 手伝う (tetsudau) - "Verb that means 'to help'"

手伝いをしてくれてありがとう。

Tetsudai o shite kurete arigatou

Thanks for helping me.

• 手伝い (te-tsu-dai) - Ajuda, assistência
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• してくれて (shi-te-ku-re-te) - did for me
• ありがとう (a-ri-ga-to-u) - thank you