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Travel · French

How to say “can you help me” in French

Practice this phrase

can you help me

French · Français

polite

Translation

pouvez-vous m'aider ?

Romanization

pouvez-vous m'aider?

Pronunciation

poo-vay voo may-day

When to use it

Use this with staff, locals, drivers, or passersby while traveling. A polite tone is usually the safest choice. In French, tone and relationship matter; when unsure, choose a polite version or soften your delivery.

Example

pouvez-vous m'aider ? — a practical sentence to use when asking for help for "can you help me".

Same situation

Use these with can you help me in French

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FAQ

Common questions

How do you say "can you help me" in French?+

You say "pouvez-vous m'aider ?" in French. The romanized form is "pouvez-vous m'aider?", and a simple pronunciation cue is "poo-vay voo may-day".

Is this phrase formal or casual?+

This entry is marked as polite. The usage note explains when the phrase is appropriate and when you should soften it.

How do you pronounce it?+

Use "poo-vay voo may-day" as a learner-friendly pronunciation cue. The romanization is "pouvez-vous m'aider?".

When should I use it?+

Use this with staff, locals, drivers, or passersby while traveling. A polite tone is usually the safest choice. In French, tone and relationship matter; when unsure, choose a polite version or soften your delivery.