Meaning and Usage
"手伝い" (てつだい) primarily means "help" or "assistance," and can also refer to a "helper" or "assistant." It is a noun derived from the verb "手伝う" (to help). This word is commonly used in everyday situations where someone offers or requests help.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "手伝い" when talking about helping with tasks like moving, cooking, or work-related assistance. It can refer both to the act of helping and to the person who helps.
Collocations and Patterns
- 手伝いをお願いする: to ask for help
- 手伝いをする: to do help/assist
- 手伝いの仕事: assistant work
Register and Politeness
"手伝い" is neutral and polite enough for everyday conversation. When making requests, it is often combined with polite expressions like "お願いします".
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "手伝い" with just "help" as an abstract concept, but it often implies concrete assistance with a task. Also, remember it is a noun, so it needs appropriate verbs or particles to form sentences.