die
Hilfe
🆘 What does "die Hilfe" mean?
Die Hilfe (noun, feminine) means help, assistance, or aid given to someone in need, facing difficulty, or performing a task. It can refer to material, physical, or moral support.
- Meaning 1: Support, assistance (e.g., Er bot mir seine Hilfe an. - He offered me his help.)
- Meaning 2: Rescue from danger (e.g., Die Hilfe kam gerade noch rechtzeitig. - Help arrived just in time.)
- Meaning 3: A person or thing that helps (e.g., Er war mir eine große Hilfe. - He was a great help to me.)
- Interjection: A cry or call in an emergency ("Hilfe!")
⚠️ The word "Hilfe" is almost exclusively used in the singular. The plural "Hilfen" is rare and usually refers to specific aids or support measures (e.g., finanzielle Hilfen - financial aids).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📐 Grammar of "die Hilfe" in Detail
"Hilfe" is a feminine noun. The article is die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hilfe |
| Genitive | der | Hilfe |
| Dative | der | Hilfe |
| Accusative | die | Hilfe |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hilfen |
| Genitive | der | Hilfen |
| Dative | den | Hilfen |
| Accusative | die | Hilfen |
(The plural "Hilfen" is quite rare and typically used in the context of specific support services or aids.)
💡 Example Sentences
- Kannst du mir bitte Hilfe leisten? (Could you please provide me with help?)
- Ohne deine Hilfe hätte ich es nicht geschafft. (Without your help, I wouldn't have managed it.)
- Wir brauchen dringend ärztliche Hilfe. (We urgently need medical help.)
- Sie rief laut um Hilfe. (She loudly called for help.)
- Die Organisation bietet verschiedene Hilfen für Bedürftige an. (The organization offers various forms of assistance for people in need.)
🗣️ How to Use "Hilfe"
"Hilfe" is a very common word in German.
- Asking for help: um Hilfe bitten (to ask for help), nach Hilfe rufen (to call for help), Hilfe brauchen/benötigen (to need help)
- Offering/Providing help: Hilfe anbieten (to offer help), Hilfe leisten (to provide help/assistance), jemandem zu Hilfe kommen/eilen (to come/rush to someone's aid)
- Fixed Expressions:
- Erste Hilfe: First Aid (immediate measures for injuries or emergencies).
- zu Hilfe nehmen: To use something as an aid (e.g., ein Wörterbuch zu Hilfe nehmen - to use a dictionary for help).
- mit Hilfe von: With the help of (e.g., Mit Hilfe eines Krans wurde das Auto geborgen. - The car was recovered with the help of a crane.).
- Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe: Help for self-help (support enabling people to help themselves).
- As an interjection: In an acute emergency, people often just shout "Hilfe!" (Help!).
Context: The word is used in everyday situations (like carrying heavy bags) as well as in serious emergencies (accidents, illness).
Distinction: While "Hilfe" generally means support, "Unterstützung" often implies something more planned or organized. "Beistand" emphasizes the moral or legal aspect more.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Hilfe"
Article Mnemonic
Many two-syllable German nouns ending in -e are feminine (die). Think: "She needs help-e!" This sounds like Hilfe and reminds you it's die. Die Hilfe.
Meaning Mnemonic
The German verb helfen means to help. The noun Hilfe sounds very similar. If someone needs helfen, they need Hilfe. Easy connection!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Hilfe
Synonyms (Similar Words)
- Unterstützung: support (often broader, can be financial or organizational)
- Beistand: assistance, support (often moral, emotional, or legal)
- Förderung: support, promotion (support for advancement, often financial or conceptual)
- Rettung: rescue (help in acute danger)
- Hilfestellung: assistance, guidance (concrete guidance or support for a task)
- Beihilfe: aid (often financial support) or abetment (in a legal context)
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Hindernis: obstacle, hindrance
- Behinderung: obstruction, hampering
- Schaden: damage, harm (opposite of benefit or help)
- Gefahr: danger (the situation requiring help)
- Vernachlässigung: neglect (failure to provide necessary help)
⚠️ Related Words
- Helfer/in (der/die): helper (person who helps)
- hilfreich (adjective): helpful
- hilflos (adjective): helpless
😂 A Little Joke
DE: Warum nehmen Skelette keine Erste Hilfe an?
Weil sie keinen Körper haben, dem sie helfen könnten! 😉
EN: Why don't skeletons accept First Aid?
Because they have no body to help! 😉
✍️ Poem about Help
DE:
Ein Ruf erklingt, so klar und rein,
"Kann jemand mir behilflich sein?"
Die Hand gereicht, ein gutes Wort,
Die Hilfe wirkt an jedem Ort.
Mal groß, mal klein, mal schnell, mal sacht,
Hat sie schon oft ein Licht gebracht.
Ein Lächeln, Trost, ein fester Bund,
Macht Herzen heil und schnell gesund.
EN:
A call rings out, so clear and pure,
"Can someone help me, make secure?"
A hand outstretched, a kindly word,
Help works its magic, always heard.
Sometimes it's big, sometimes it's small,
Sometimes it's fast, sometimes stands tall.
A smile, some comfort, a steady bond,
Mends hearts and health, makes spirits fond.
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich werde gerufen, wenn Not am Mann,
bin eine Stütze, packe mit an.
Man bietet mich an, man leistet mich gern,
halte das Unglück oft weit und fern.
Ich habe den Artikel "die", ganz klar.
Wer bin ich? Na wunderbar?
Lösung: die Hilfe
EN:
I'm called upon when need is dire,
I am support, I lift folks higher.
I'm offered freely, gladly done,
Keeping misfortune on the run.
My article is "die", it's true.
Who am I? Can you guess who?
Solution: die Hilfe (help)
🧩 More Tidbits
- Word Origin: The noun "Hilfe" is closely related to the strong verb "helfen" (to help - conjugation: hilft, half, hat geholfen).
- Compound Words: There are many compound nouns formed with "Hilfe", such as:
- das Hilfsmittel (aid, tool, resource)
- der Hilferuf (call for help)
- die Hilfsbereitschaft (helpfulness, willingness to help)
- die Hilfsorganisation (aid organization)
- die Entwicklungshilfe (development aid)
- die Pannenhilfe (breakdown service/assistance)
- International Emergency Number: The Europe-wide emergency number 112 is used to quickly summon Hilfe (police, fire brigade, ambulance).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hilfe?
The correct article for Hilfe is die. Therefore, it is die Hilfe. The word is feminine and means help or assistance.