Verb

helfen

Translation

to help, to assist, to aid

Kannst du mir bitte helfen?

Can you please help me?

Er hat mir beim Umzug geholfen.

He helped me with the move.

Das Medikament hat geholfen.

The medicine helped.

((sb.dat)) to help (sb.) He helped me.

((sb.dat)) ((with sth.)) to help (sb.) with (sth.) She helps the child with the homework.

((against sth.)) to be effective against (sth.) This ointment helps against the itch.

Synonyms: unterstützen (to support), beistehen (to stand by); Antonyms: hindern (to hinder), stören (to disturb)

Cognate with English 'help', both from Proto-Germanic *helpaną.

Crucially, 'helfen' always takes the dative case. It's 'Ich helfe dir' (I help you), not 'dich'.