How to say "help" in Japanese

• 手伝うてつだうJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe go-to verb when 'help' means lending a hand with a practical task, such as cooking, cleaning, or helping someone move. It covers plain, active assistance rather than rescue, cooperation, or cheering on.
  いつでもお手伝てつだいします。↗

  I am always ready to help you.
• サービスJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbReally 'service': the help or assistance a business or organization provides to its customers. It is not the word for personally helping someone, so it covers only that service sense of 'help'.
  あの店みせはサービスが良よい。↗

  That store gives good service.
• 応援おうえんJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbReally 'support' in the sense of cheering someone on: rooting for a team, encouraging a friend, backing a cause. It is seldom the word for hands-on help; it fits only the moral-support sense.
  何事なにごとが起おころうとも、君きみを応援おうえんするよ。↗

  I will stand by you whatever happens.
• 協力きょうりょくJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCooperation or collaboration: joining efforts with others toward a shared goal, as when a project, survey, or event asks for everyone's cooperation. Use it when 'help' means working together rather than one person aiding another.
  ご協力きょうりょくに感謝かんしゃします。↗

  I appreciate your cooperation.
• 救うすくうJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbTo rescue or save: pulling someone out of danger or relieving them from hardship. Choose it only for the strong sense of 'help' — saving someone from serious trouble — not for everyday assistance.
  その犬いぬは少女しょうじょの命いのちを救すくった。↗

  The dog saved the girl's life.

Choose 「手伝う」 for hands-on help with a task, 「救う」 for rescuing someone from danger or trouble, 協力 for cooperating on a joint effort, 応援 for cheering someone on, and 「サービス」 only for service-type assistance.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 手伝うてつだうto help
• サービスservice
• 応援おうえんaid
• 協力きょうりょくcooperation
• 救うすくうto rescue (someone)
• 世話せわcare
• 補助ほじょassistance
• 助けたすけassistance
• 救いすくいhelp
• 介助かいじょhelp
• アシストassistance
• 救済きゅうさいrelief
• 援護えんごsupport
• 補佐ほさaid
• 力添えちからぞえhelp
• 扶助ふじょaid
• ご協力ごきょうりょくcooperation
• 助すけassistance
• ヘルプhelp
• 助じょhelp
• 扶翼ふよくhelp
• お世話おせわhelp
• 助太刀すけだちassistance (in a fight)
• おかげさま(someone's) assistance
• 世話を焼くせわをやくto take care of someone
• 手を差し伸べるてをさしのべるto lend a hand
• 手を伸べるてをのべるto lend a hand
• 手を貸すてをかすto lend a hand
• 助けになるたすけになるto be helpful
• 救いの手すくいのてhelping hand
• 肝いりきもいりgood offices
• 裨益ひえきbenefit
• 一助いちじょ(some small) help
• 助けるたすけるto help
• 手伝いてつだいhelp
• 心配しんぱいcare
• お手伝いおてつだいhelp
• 合力ごうりょくassistance
• 御利益ごりやくbenefit
• おかげassistance
• 羽翼うよくassistance
• 力ちからsupport
• 手てhand
• 人手ひとでhelp