How to say “Help” in Korean
- 도와주세요dowajuseyo
Please help me
"Help" in Korean is 도와주세요 (dowajuseyo), which means "please help me". In a real emergency people shout 살려 주세요 (sallyeo juseyo), "save me".
Ways to say it
| Korean | Level | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 도와주세요 dowajuseyo | Polite | "Please help me." For everyday help and emergencies. |
| 살려 주세요 sallyeo juseyo | Polite | "Save me!" or "Help!" Only for real danger. |
| 도와줘 dowajwo | Casual | "Help me" to a friend or younger person. |
| 도와주시겠어요 dowajusigesseoyo | Polite | "Could you help me?" A very soft, polite request, asked as a question. |
| 도움이 필요해요 doumi piryohaeyo | Polite | "I need help." |
| 도와드릴까요 dowadeurilkkayo | Polite | "Can I help you?" Offering help, asked as a question. |
Examples
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Calling for help after an accident
Offering to carry someone's luggage
Asking a friend for help with homework
Tips
In South Korea, call 112 for the police and 119 for fire or an ambulance.
살려 주세요 literally means "please keep me alive", so it is only for real emergencies. For everyday help, use 도와주세요.
When offering help, Koreans use the humble form 도와드릴까요 toward the person they are helping, which shows respect.
More on 도와주세요 in our Korean phrase guides.
Questions learners ask
What do you shout for help in Korea?
Shout 도와주세요! (dowajuseyo!) or, in serious danger, 살려 주세요! (sallyeo juseyo!).
How do you say "Can I help you?" in Korean?
Say 도와드릴까요? (dowadeurilkkayo?). Shop staff may also ask 뭐 찾으세요? (mwo chajeuseyo?), "what are you looking for?"