How to Say ‘Can you help me?’ in Japanese
助けてもらえますか？
tasuke te morae masu ka
[tasuke te morae masu ka]
💬 Usage Tip: [〜てもらえますか] is a useful soft way to ask someone to do something for you. You can swap in other verbs: [見せてもらえますか？] "Could you show me?"
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is polite and natural for asking help from strangers or staff. It sounds less blunt than a direct command with [ください].
Phrase Breakdown
助け
tasuke
[tasuke]
help
To assist someone.
助けてあげましょうか？
Shall I help you?
て
te
[te]
connective
Used to connect actions in sequence.
本を読んで寝ます。
I'll read a book and sleep.
もらえ
morae
[morae]
can receive
Ability to receive a favor.
それを貸してもらえますか？
Can you lend me that?
ます
masu
[masu]
polite suffix
A polite sentence ending.
お願いいたします。
Please do it.
か
ka
[ka]
question marker
Ends a sentence with a question.
これは何ですか？
What is this?
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