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Phrasebook

English Phrases for Asking for Help

Everyone needs help sometimes: with a heavy bag, a confusing ticket machine or a word you don't understand. These phrases help you get someone's attention, ask politely and thank people in a natural way.

33 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Getting someone's attention

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Excuse me, could you help me?

A1

"Excuse me" is the polite way to start talking to a stranger.

Affedersiniz, bana yardım edebilir misiniz?
  • Sure, what do you need?
  • Of course. What's the problem?

Sorry to bother you.

A2

Use it before asking a busy person for help.

Rahatsız ettiğim için kusura bakmayın.
  • No bother at all.
  • It's fine. How can I help?

Do you have a minute?

A2
Bir dakikanız var mı?
  • Sure, what's up?
  • Not right now, sorry. Maybe later?

Can I ask you something?

A1
Size bir şey sorabilir miyim?
  • Go ahead.

Do you work here?

A1

Useful in shops and stations before asking a question.

Burada mı çalışıyorsunuz?
  • Yes, I do. Can I help you?
  • No, sorry. Try the information desk.

I'm sorry, I'm a bit lost.

A2
Kusura bakmayın, biraz kayboldum.
  • Where are you trying to go?

Making the request

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Could you help me with this?

A2
Bu konuda bana yardım edebilir misiniz?
  • Sure, no problem.

Can you give me a hand?

A2

Informal. Often used for physical help, like carrying something.

Bana bir el atabilir misin?
  • Of course. Where does it go?

Would you mind helping me with my bag?

B1

Answer "Not at all" to say yes. "Would you mind" is followed by the -ing form.

Çantamı taşımama yardım eder misiniz acaba?
  • Not at all.
  • No problem. It's heavy!

Could you do me a favor?

B1

UK spelling: "favour".

Bana bir iyilik yapabilir misin?
  • Sure, what is it?
  • Depends what it is!

I was wondering if you could help me.

B2

Very polite. Good for emails and people you don't know.

Acaba bana yardım edebilir misiniz diye merak ediyordum.
  • I'd be happy to.
  • What do you need?

Could you show me how this works?

A2
Bunun nasıl çalıştığını gösterebilir misiniz?
  • Sure. First, press this button.

Could you take a photo of us?

A2
Bizim bir fotoğrafımızı çekebilir misiniz?
  • Sure. Say cheese!
  • Of course. Vertical or horizontal?

Can you keep an eye on my things for a minute?

B1
Bir dakika eşyalarıma göz kulak olabilir misiniz?
  • Sure, I'll be right here.

Help with language and understanding

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Sorry, could you say that again?

A1
Pardon, tekrar söyleyebilir misiniz?
  • Sure. I said the train is delayed.

Could you speak a little more slowly, please?

A2
Biraz daha yavaş konuşabilir misiniz, lütfen?
  • Of course, sorry.

What does this word mean?

A1
Bu kelime ne anlama geliyor?
  • It means "exit".

How do you say this in English?

A1
Bunu İngilizcede nasıl söylersiniz?
  • That's a "charger".

Could you write it down for me?

A2

Very useful for addresses, names and numbers.

Benim için yazabilir misiniz?
  • Sure, do you have a pen?

I'm not sure I understand. Could you explain?

B1
Anladığımdan emin değilim. Açıklayabilir misiniz?
  • Sure, let me put it another way.

Help with tech and everyday tasks

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

My phone is dead. Could I use your charger?

A2

A "dead" phone has no battery left.

Telefonumun şarjı bitti. Şarj aletinizi kullanabilir miyim?
  • Sure, there's an outlet over there.
  • Sorry, I have a different kind.

The machine isn't taking my card.

A2
Makine kartımı kabul etmiyor.
  • Try tapping it instead.
  • That machine is broken. Use the other one.

Do you know the Wi-Fi password?

A1
Wi-Fi şifresini biliyor musunuz?
  • It's on the back of the menu.

I can't get this to work.

B1
Bunu bir türlü çalıştıramıyorum.
  • Let me have a look.
  • Have you tried turning it off and on again?

Could you help me fill out this form?

A2

UK: "fill in this form".

Bu formu doldurmama yardım edebilir misiniz?
  • Sure. Start with your full name here.

Could you lend me a pen?

A2

You lend something to someone. You borrow something from someone.

Bana bir kalem ödünç verebilir misiniz?
  • Here you go.

Can I borrow your phone for a second? Mine is dead.

B1
Telefonunuzu bir saniye ödünç alabilir miyim? Benimkinin şarjı bitti.
  • Sure, go ahead.
  • Who do you need to call?

Accepting, refusing and thanking

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it.

A2
Çok teşekkürler, gerçekten minnettarım.
  • No problem.
  • Happy to help.

That's really kind of you.

A2
Çok naziksiniz.
  • Don't mention it.

You're a lifesaver!

B1

Informal and warm. Used for small favors too.

Hayatımı kurtardın!
  • Anytime!

I'm okay, thanks.

A1

A polite way to say you don't need help.

Gerek yok, teşekkürler.
  • Okay, just let me know if you need anything.

Thanks, but I think I've got it.

B1
Teşekkürler ama sanırım hallettim.
  • Great. Good luck!

Sorry for the trouble.

B1
Zahmet verdim, kusura bakmayın.
  • It was no trouble at all.

Sample dialogues

At a ticket machine

Can
Excuse me, sorry to bother you. Do you have a minute?
Affedersiniz, rahatsız ettiğim için kusura bakmayın. Bir dakikanız var mı?
Woman
Sure, what's the problem?
Tabii, sorun nedir?
Can
The machine isn't taking my card.
Makine kartımı kabul etmiyor.
Woman
Oh, this one only takes contactless. Try tapping it here.
Ah, bu sadece temassız kabul ediyor. Buraya dokundurmayı deneyin.
Can
It worked! Could you show me which ticket I need for downtown?
Oldu! Şehir merkezi için hangi bileti almam gerektiğini gösterebilir misiniz?
Woman
Sure, press "single ride" and then "zone one".
Tabii, "tek yolculuk"a sonra da "birinci bölge"ye basın.
Can
Got it. Thanks so much, I really appreciate it.
Anladım. Çok teşekkürler, gerçekten minnettarım.
Woman
Happy to help. Have a good day!
Yardımcı olabildiysem ne mutlu. İyi günler!

Asking a colleague for a favor

Selin
Hey Jake, could you do me a favor?
Selam Jake, bana bir iyilik yapabilir misin?
Jake
Sure, what is it?
Tabii, nedir?
Selin
I can't get the projector to work, and my meeting starts in ten minutes.
Projektörü bir türlü çalıştıramıyorum ve toplantım on dakika sonra başlıyor.
Jake
Let me have a look. Ah, the cable was loose.
Bir bakayım. Ah, kablo gevşekmiş.
Selin
You're a lifesaver! Sorry for the trouble.
Hayatımı kurtardın! Zahmet verdim, kusura bakma.
Jake
No trouble at all. Do you need anything else?
Hiç zahmet değil. Başka bir şeye ihtiyacın var mı?
Selin
I'm okay now, thanks.
Şimdilik gerek yok, teşekkürler.

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

Can you help me? I need help!

Excuse me, could you help me, please?

"I need help!" sounds like an emergency in English. For everyday help, start with "Excuse me" and use "could" and "please".

Can you borrow me a pen?

Can you lend me a pen?

Turkish "ödünç" covers both directions. In English you borrow from someone and lend to someone.

Would you mind to help me?

Would you mind helping me?

"Would you mind" is always followed by the -ing form of the verb.

Would you mind helping me? Yes, of course.

Would you mind helping me? No, not at all.

"Would you mind" literally asks if it is a problem. To agree, say "Not at all" or "No problem".

Help me with this bag.

Could you help me with this bag?

A command without "could" or "please" sounds rude to strangers. A short question is the normal way to ask for help.

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. How do you politely start talking to a stranger?

  2. 2. Complete: "Would you mind ___ the door?"

  3. 3. Someone asks "Would you mind helping me?" You are happy to help. You say:

  4. 4. Choose the correct sentence:

  5. 5. "Can you give me a hand?" means:

  6. 6. Which is the most polite request?

  7. 7. Someone helps you a lot. Which reply sounds warm and natural?

  8. 8. A shop assistant asks if you need help, but you don't. You say:

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. Excuse me,
  2. opening
  3. Not at all.
  4. Can I borrow your charger?
  5. Can you help me?
  6. I was wondering if you could help me.
  7. Thanks so much, I really appreciate it.
  8. I'm okay, thanks. Just looking.

See what the A2 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

Is "can" or "could" better for asking for help?+

Both are fine. "Could" sounds a little more polite, so it is the safer choice with strangers, staff and people you don't know well.

How do I answer "Would you mind...?"+

If you are happy to help, say "Not at all" or "No problem". The question literally asks whether it bothers you, so "Yes" would mean you don't want to.

What should I say after someone helps me?+

"Thank you so much" is always good. Add "I really appreciate it" or "That's really kind of you" for bigger favors. With friends, "You're a lifesaver!" is warm and natural.

What if I need urgent help?+

In a real emergency, be direct: "Help!" or "Call an ambulance!" is correct then. See the LearnLingo emergency phrasebook for those situations.

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