How to say "Help me" in Korean

The natural way Koreans say "Help me" — with the polite form, close alternatives, and audio for every line.

When to use it

Everyday asking for a hand. For an actual emergency, use the variant below - it is the word that makes people come running.

Polite form

• ▶
  도와주세요

  dowajuseyo

  Use this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.

Other ways to say it

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  살려 주세요

  sallyeo juseyo

  = Save me (emergency)

  Only for real danger. This is the scream, not the favour.
• ▶
  좀 도와주실 수 있어요?

  jom dowajusil su isseoyo?

  = Could you help me?

  Polite request to a stranger.

In a sentence

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  이것 좀 도와줘.

  igeot jom dowajwo.

  Help me with this.
• ▶
  도와주세요! 길을 잃었어요.

  dowajuseyo! gireul ireosseoyo.

  Please help! I am lost.