Difference between たすける(help) and てつだう(help)

What is the difference between 助たすける and 手伝てつだう?
Have you ever had this question?

If you look up 「助たすける」and 「手伝てつだう」in the dictionary, they both translate to “help” in English. However, they are little bit different.

手伝てつだう

手伝てつだう means to help or assist someone. Usually the action is done together. 手伝てつだう can be thought of a softer form of helping someone.

Examples

友ともだちのひっこしを手伝てつだいました。
I helped my friend to move.

手伝てつだいましょうか？
Did you want me to give you a hand?

助たすける

助たすける means to help someone who is in trouble. This word is typically reserved for serious situations, it doesn’t have to be life and death (although it could be!).

Examples

スパイダーマンは、街まちの人ひとを助たすけました。
Spiderman saved the lives of the people in the city.

海うみでおぼれているこどもを助たすけました。
I rescued a child who was drowning at the beach.

Comparison

In Japanese, if you use “助たすけてください” it comes across as “HELP!!!” and can sound pretty serious. Try not to use it when you only need a little help.

Example

Maryさんを 手伝てつだう | Not serious situation | I’ll lend Mary a hand.
Mary さんを 助たすける| Serious situation | I’ll help Mary!