'Helfen' Definition

What is the meaning of the German word 'Helfen'?

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The word 'Helfen' is a German word that can mean various things in English, such as 'help' or 'to help'. Below are a few of the different meanings of the word 'Helfen', with examples sentences to help you understand how to use the word in context.

Definitions of 'Helfen' in English

Helfen - To help

verb

The verb 'helfen' means 'to help' in German. It is a commonly used verb to offer assistance or support.

💡 Silly memory trick! To remember 'helfen,' think of it as 'help' with an 'H' twist. The 'H' can stand for 'help' and 'helfen' in German.

Helfen - To help

verb

The verb 'helfen' means 'to help' in German. It is commonly used to express assisting someone or something in need.

Example Sentences:

  • Niklas beschließt, dem Wald zu helfen, und beginnt sein Abenteuer. - Niklas decides to help the forest and begins his adventure.

💡 Silly memory trick! To remember 'helfen,' think of 'helping' a friend 'helfen' with their 'helfen' homework. The repetition can make it easier to remember.

German Challenges

Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb "schreiben" to mean "to write to"?

Sie schreibt einen Brief an ihren Freund.

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The correct preposition to use with "schreiben" to convey the meaning of "to write to" is "an", forming the phrase "schreiben an". The sentence "Sie schreibt einen Brief an ihren Freund" translates to "She is writing a letter to her friend." The other prepositions are not used to express the act of writing to someone.
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "wollen" to fit the sentence.

Ihr wollt tanzen lernen

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The correct form for 'wollen' in the second person plural is 'wollt'. The full translation is "You (plural) want to learn to dance".
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "dürfen" to fit the sentence below.

Ihr dürft nicht rauchen.

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The correct form for 'dürfen' in the third person plural for a negative statement is 'dürfen'. The full translation is "You (plural) may not smoke".
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Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the definite article 'die' in the dative case for a plural noun.

Das Buch gehört den Kindern

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The dative case of the definite article 'die' (the) when used with plural nouns is 'den'. So, the sentence should read 'Das Buch gehört den Kindern', translating to 'The book belongs to the children' in English.
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Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the personal pronoun 'du' in the dative case.

Ich habe dir bereits die Einladung gegeben

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The dative case form of the personal pronoun 'du' (you) is 'dir'. In the sentence, 'dir' is used as the indirect object, receiving the action of the verb. Here, the verb 'gegeben' ("given" - to give) requires an indirect object to indicate to whom the book is given. 'Du' changes to 'dir' in the dative case to reflect its role as the recipient of the action in the sentence.
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Beginner

What is the correct form of the definite article "the" in the dative case for a Feminine noun.

Ich helfe der Frau

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In German, the dative case form of the feminine article "die" is "der." For example, in the sentence "Ich helfe der Frau," which translates to "I help the woman" in English, the word "Frau" (woman) is in the dative case as the indirect object of the verb "helfen" (to help), so the article changes from "die" to "der."
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "müssen" to fit the sentence

Wir müssen früh aufstehen.

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The correct form for 'müssen' in the first person plural is 'müssen'. The full translation is "We have to (must) wake up early".
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Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb "lernen" to mean "to learn from"?

Er hat aus seinen Fehlern gelernt

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The correct preposition to use with "lernen" to convey the meaning of "to learn from" is "aus", making the expression "lernen aus". The sentence "Er hat aus seinen Fehlern gelernt" means "He learned from his mistakes".
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Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the personal pronoun 'ich' in the dative case.

Sie hat mir den Schlüssel gegeben

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The dative case form of the personal pronoun 'ich' (I) is 'mir'. In the sentence "Sie hat mir den Schlüssel gegeben," 'mir' is used as the indirect object, receiving the action of the verb. Here, the verb 'geben' (to give) requires an indirect object to indicate to whom the key is given. 'Ich' changes to 'mir' in the dative case to reflect its role as the recipient of the action in the sentence.
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Beginner

What is the right form of the definite article "the" in the genitive case for a Masculine noun?

Das Buch des Mannes ist sehr interessant.

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The appropriate definite article for masculine nouns in the genitive case is "des." Hence, the sentence should be "Das Buch des Mannes ist sehr interessant," which in English means "The man's book is very interesting."
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