French has different words for “help” depending on whether you mean the noun, the verb, or an urgent call for assistance. The noun is l’aide, the verb “to help” is aider, and you can say Aidez-moi ! to ask someone formally or to a group, “Help me!”
l’aide = help (noun) · aider = to help · Aidez-moi ! = Help me!
Aide: “Help” as a Noun
L’aide is a feminine noun meaning “help” or “assistance.” It is pronounced roughly ed, with a silent final e. Use it in phrases such as J’ai besoin d’aide (“I need help”).
Meaning: I need help.
Aider: “To Help”
Meaning and Forms
Aider is the infinitive verb “to help.” To say “Can you help me?” use Peux-tu m’aider ? informally, or Pouvez-vous m’aider ? politely or when addressing more than one person. The pronoun m’ means “me.”
Using Aider in Sentences
Meaning: Can you help me, please?
Polite Requests for Help
Use Peux-tu m’aider ? with someone you address informally, or Pouvez-vous m’aider ? in a formal situation. Adding s’il vous plaît softens the request. In an emergency, use the short call Au secours !.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choose the noun aide for assistance, the infinitive aider for “to help,” and a conjugated form when there is a subject. Remember that au secours is an urgent exclamation, not a general noun for help.
Calling for Help in an Emergency
For an urgent shout meaning “Help!” or “Help me!”, say Au secours ! You may also say Aidez-moi ! Use Au secours when you need immediate assistance.
| French | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|
| l’aide | help, assistance | noun |
| aider | to help | verb |
| Aidez-moi ! | Help me! | request or urgent call |
| Au secours ! | Help! | emergency |
Frequently Asked Questions About Help in French
Tap a question below to see the answer.
How do I say “I need help” in French?
Say J’ai besoin d’aide.
What should I shout in an emergency?
Au secours ! is a common urgent call for help.
Summary: Help in French
Use aide for the noun, aider for “to help,” and Au secours ! to call for urgent help.
