A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Help" in French
The essential cry for help in any emergency situation in France.
Au secours !
oh suh-KOORneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Shout this if you're in immediate danger, like witnessing a crime or a serious accident. It's the universal signal that you need urgent assistance from anyone nearby.
Alternatives
- Aidez-moi !More personal, directly asking one or more people to help you.
- À l'aide !Slightly less common than 'Au secours !' but also a valid cry for help.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'secours' like 'sec-ours'
The 'ou' makes an 'oo' sound, like in 'soup', not like 'our'.
Forgetting the nasal sound in 'secours'
The 'en' in 'secours' is not a strong nasal sound; it's closer to 'uh' than 'ahn'.
A small cultural note
While 'Au secours !' is universally understood, French emergency services can be reached by dialing 112 from any phone.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
When should I use 'Au secours!' vs 'Aidez-moi!'?
'Au secours!' is a general, urgent cry to attract attention in a crisis. 'Aidez-moi!' is a more direct request for assistance from specific people.
How do French people call for help?
In an emergency, shouting 'Au secours !' is the most direct way to get immediate attention. For official help, dial 112.
Is 'Au secours!' always for serious danger?
Yes, it implies a serious or immediate threat to safety. For less urgent needs, you'd use phrases like 'Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous m'aider ?' (Excuse me, could you help me?).
How to yell for help in French?
To yell for help in French, you can shout "Au secours!" This is the most common and direct way to call for assistance in an emergency.
What is au secours?
"Au secours" is a French phrase that directly translates to "Help!" or "To the rescue!" It is used to call for urgent assistance.
How do you pronounce "l'aide"?
The French word "l'aide" is pronounced roughly as "led." The apostrophe indicates that the 'e' from 'le' or 'la' has been elided before a vowel sound.
How to say "I need help" in French?
You can say "J'ai besoin d'aide" to express "I need help" in French. This is a standard and polite way to ask for assistance.
