give a hand
يساعد
Littéralement: to provide a human hand to someone
Use it to offer quick, physical help or ask for a favor in a friendly, low-pressure way.
En 15 secondes
- A friendly way to offer or ask for help.
- Usually refers to physical tasks like lifting or carrying.
- Can also mean 'to clap' depending on the context.
- Perfect for casual and workplace environments.
Signification
When you give someone a hand, you help them with a physical task or a problem they are facing.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Seeing a neighbor with many bags
Do you need me to give you a hand with those groceries?
Do you need me to help you with those groceries?
Asking a colleague for help with a report
Hey Mark, could you give me a hand with this spreadsheet for a second?
Hey Mark, could you help me with this spreadsheet for a second?
Texting a roommate about cleaning
I'm starting the kitchen cleaning, give me a hand when you're done with work!
I'm starting the kitchen cleaning, help me when you're done with work!
Contexte culturel
The phrase reflects the communal history of manual labor where 'many hands make light work.' In modern Western culture, offering a hand is a key social lubricant that shows you are observant and willing to contribute to the group's success without being asked.
The 'Lend' Alternative
You can swap `give` for `lend` to sound a bit more polite or soft. 'Lend a hand' implies the help is temporary.
Don't get confused!
If someone asks for a 'big hand' at the end of a show, they want you to clap, not walk on stage to help!
En 15 secondes
- A friendly way to offer or ask for help.
- Usually refers to physical tasks like lifting or carrying.
- Can also mean 'to clap' depending on the context.
- Perfect for casual and workplace environments.
What It Means
Give a hand is all about offering help. It usually refers to physical help. Think about carrying heavy groceries or moving a couch. You are literally offering your hands to do work. It can also mean helping with a quick mental task. It is a warm, active way to say you are available.
How To Use It
You usually say give (someone) a hand. You can also say lend a hand. It is a very flexible phrase. Use it when you see someone struggling. It sounds much more natural than saying "I will assist you." If you need help, just ask, "Can you give me a hand?" It sounds polite and friendly.
When To Use It
Use it in everyday life. Use it at the office when a coworker has too much paperwork. Use it at home when dinner needs to be served. It is perfect for short, helpful actions. If you are texting a friend who is moving houses, it is the perfect phrase. It shows you are a team player. It makes people feel supported and less alone.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for massive, life-changing favors. If you are lending someone $10,000, give a hand is too small. Avoid it in very stiff, legal documents. Do not use it if you are actually performing surgery—that might be confusing! Also, do not confuse it with give a hand meaning to clap. Context is everything here. If you are on a stage, people will clap. If you are near a heavy box, they will lift.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from the idea of manual labor. In old farming communities, neighbors always helped each other. Your hands were your most valuable tools. Offering them was a sign of true friendship. Today, it represents the "can-do" spirit of helpfulness. It is a staple of English-speaking social etiquette. It bridges the gap between being a stranger and being a friend.
Common Variations
You will often hear lend a hand. This sounds slightly more poetic or old-fashioned. You might also hear give a big hand. Be careful! That actually means to clap loudly for someone. If your boss says, "Let's give Sarah a hand," look at her hands. If they are empty, start clapping. If she is carrying boxes, start lifting!
Notes d'usage
The phrase is neutral and works in almost any social or professional setting. Be mindful of the context to ensure you don't confuse 'helping' with 'clapping'.
The 'Lend' Alternative
You can swap `give` for `lend` to sound a bit more polite or soft. 'Lend a hand' implies the help is temporary.
Don't get confused!
If someone asks for a 'big hand' at the end of a show, they want you to clap, not walk on stage to help!
The Silent Offer
In many English-speaking cultures, if you see someone struggling with a door, you don't even have to say the phrase—just 'giving a hand' is the expected polite behavior.
Exemples
6Do you need me to give you a hand with those groceries?
Do you need me to help you with those groceries?
A classic neighborly offer of physical help.
Hey Mark, could you give me a hand with this spreadsheet for a second?
Hey Mark, could you help me with this spreadsheet for a second?
Professional but casual enough for a teammate.
I'm starting the kitchen cleaning, give me a hand when you're done with work!
I'm starting the kitchen cleaning, help me when you're done with work!
Informal request between friends living together.
I'm trying to open this jar of pickles, someone give me a hand before I lose my mind!
I'm trying to open this jar, someone help me!
Uses slight exaggeration for humor.
Please, let me give you a hand across the street.
Please, let me help you across the street.
Very polite and helpful tone.
I would appreciate it if someone could give me a hand with the projector.
I would appreciate it if someone could help me with the projector.
Polite and suitable for a business meeting.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the helpful offer.
These boxes look heavy! Let me ___ you a hand.
The standard collocation is `give a hand` when offering help.
Identify the correct preposition for the person receiving help.
Can you give a hand ___ Sarah with her luggage?
We give help 'to' someone, though usually we say 'give Sarah a hand' directly.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Give a hand'
Used with friends/family
Give us a hand, mate!
Standard daily use
Can you give me a hand?
Polite workplace request
Would you mind giving me a hand?
When to Give a Hand
Moving Furniture
Lifting a heavy sofa
Tech Support
Fixing a slow laptop
Grocery Shopping
Carrying extra bags
Applause
Clapping after a speech
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUsually, yes, it refers to physical tasks like lifting. However, it can be used for small mental tasks like giving a hand with homework.
Yes, it is perfectly fine for a neutral or professional setting. Just add 'could you' or 'would you mind' to make it more polite.
Help is a general verb, while give a hand is a more casual, idiomatic expression. Give a hand often implies a shorter, specific task.
Yes, they are interchangeable. Lend a hand sounds slightly more formal or helpful in a community sense.
If someone says 'Give them a hand,' it is an idiom for applause. Context tells you if they want help or clapping.
No, that is not an expression. Stick to hand for help!
It is always singular: give a hand. Even if you are using both of your hands to help, the phrase stays singular.
Absolutely! It is very common in texts, like Hey, can u give me a hand later?.
A common mistake is using it for long-term support. You wouldn't say he gave me a hand for three years if someone supported you financially.
Yes, it is used globally in English-speaking countries including the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada.
Expressions liées
Lend a hand
Essentially the same as give a hand; to provide assistance.
Do a favor
To do something kind or helpful for someone.
Pitch in
When multiple people help out with a task together.
Give a big hand
To applaud or clap for someone's performance.
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