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Japanese Versatility List

Helping out

Core words, Stage 2chunk 14 of 80Verbs: dealing with people

Lets you offer help, thank someone for it and cheer people on.

Mix-ups Tasukeru is what you do, tasukaru is how it feels to get it; ouen is cheering, sapooto is hands-on.

tasukeru

polite tasukemasu

help; save, rescue

Shouted alone as 'Tasukete!' for 'Help!'.

For help with a chore or task, tetsudau is more natural.

casual

kinou wa tasukete kurete arigatou ne.

Thanks for helping me out yesterday.

昨日は助けてくれてありがとうね。

polite

kinou wa tasukete itadaite, arigatou gozaimashita.

Thank you for helping me out yesterday.

昨日は助けていただいて、ありがとうございました。

Written 助ける · たすける · 助けますRank #357 in 3,030 TV dramas

tasukaru

polite tasukarimasu

be a big help; be saved

Said as thanks: 'Tasukaru!' or 'Tasukatta!' means 'That really helps!'.

Pairs with tasukeru: tasukeru is what you do for someone, tasukaru is how it lands on you.

casual

hontou ni tasukatta yo, arigatou.

That was a huge help, thanks.

本当に助かったよ、ありがとう。

polite

hontou ni tasukarimashita, arigatou gozaimasu.

That was a huge help, thank you.

本当に助かりました、ありがとうございます。

Written 助かる · たすかる · 助かりますRank #542 in 3,030 TV dramas

ouen suru

polite ouen shimasu

support; cheer on

For rooting for a team, a friend's plans or a favourite idol; 'Ouen shiteru yo' means 'I'm behind you'.

Mostly moral support; for practical help use tasukeru or tetsudau.

casual

zutto ouen shiteru kara ne.

I'll always be rooting for you.

ずっと応援してるからね。

polite

zutto ouen shite imasu.

I'll always be rooting for you.

ずっと応援しています。

Written 応援する · おうえんする · 応援しますRank #877 in 3,030 TV dramas

kyouryoku suru

polite kyouryoku shimasu

cooperate, work together; help out

For chipping in on a shared job; the noun kyouryoku (cooperation) is common too.

'Gokyouryoku onegai shimasu' is the set request for cooperation in notices and announcements.

casual

minna de kyouryoku shite ganbarou yo.

Let's all pull together and do our best.

みんなで協力して頑張ろうよ。

polite

minna de kyouryoku shite ganbarimashou.

Let's all pull together and do our best.

みんなで協力して頑張りましょう。

Written 協力する · きょうりょくする · 協力しますRank #918 in 3,030 TV dramas

sapooto suru

polite sapooto shimasu

support, back up

Hands-on backup at work or in a project; also customer support.

Close to ouen, but sapooto is practical help and ouen is mostly cheering.

casual

nanika attara sapooto suru kara ne.

If anything comes up, I'll back you up.

何かあったらサポートするからね。

polite

nanika attara sapooto shimasu ne.

If anything comes up, I'll back you up.

何かあったらサポートしますね。

Written サポートする · サポートしますRank #2980 in 3,030 TV dramas