Sections
Tasukeru (助ける): what it means in anime
助ける
たすける · tasukeru · to save; to rescue; to spare JLPT N3
Tasukeru means "to save", "to rescue" or "to help". The cry 助けて (tasukete, "help me!") is probably the first Japanese word many anime fans learn from context.
Where you hear it 7 of 42 series
Lines from the Japanese subtitles of episodes 1–3 of each show. A translation is shown only when it clearly matches the line; counts are subtitle lines containing the word.
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Re:Zero · 19 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 1
絶対の絶対 助けたりなんかしないんだから！Absolutely not! I am not going to save him!
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Bleach · 13 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 1
助けて 夏梨ちゃんを…Help Natsuri-chan...
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Dr. Stone · 11 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 1
助けるからな 杠I'll help you.
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My Hero Academia · 9 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 2
助けられてもねえ！And you didn't help me!
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Demon Slayer · 7 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 1
助けてやれなくて ごめんな…I'm so sorry I couldn't save you.
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Jujutsu Kaisen · 6 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 1
お前は強いから人を助けろYou're a strong kid, so help others.
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Noragami · 6 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 1
俺を助けた人間なんか初めてだbut you're the first human that has tried to save me.
Usage and nuance
助けて is the te-form used as a plea. 助けてくれ is the rougher male version, and 助けてください is polite. A hero's reply is often 助けてやる or 助ける, "I'll save you".
There is an important difference from 手伝う (tetsudau), which means to help with a task. 助ける implies rescue from danger or trouble. You 手伝う someone's homework; you 助ける someone from a demon.
Deku's defining line in My Hero Academia is about wanting to 助ける people with a smile, and Tanjiro in Demon Slayer repeats 助ける about his sister.
Hear 助ける in Re:Zero19 lines in episodes 1–3 · tappable subtitles · free, no account