A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Help" in French
The French phrase for 'Help!' when you're in a real emergency and need immediate assistance.
Au secours !
oh-SKOO-rneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you are in genuine danger or witnessing a serious accident. It's a cry for immediate help, not for minor inconveniences.
Alternatives
- Aidez-moi !More direct and personal, asking someone specific to help you.
- J'ai besoin d'aide.A more general statement that you require assistance.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'secours'
The 's' at the end of 'secours' is silent, and the 'r' is a soft guttural sound.
Using 'Aide' alone
'Aide' means 'help' as a noun, but you need a verb or prepositional phrase to ask for it.
A small cultural note
While 'Au secours !' is the standard emergency cry, in very dire situations, people might just shout or scream without a specific phrase.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
When should I use 'Au secours !' vs 'Aidez-moi !'?
'Au secours !' is for immediate, urgent danger, like a fire or someone falling. 'Aidez-moi !' is more for when you need assistance with something specific, like carrying a bag.
Is 'Au secours !' rude?
No, it's a cry for help in an emergency, so it's understood as a necessary exclamation. Politeness is secondary to safety.
What if I need help with something small?
For smaller issues, you'd use phrases like 'Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous m'aider ?' (Excuse me, could you help me?) or 'J'ai besoin d'aide avec ça.' (I need help with this.)
What's the French word for help?
The most common French word for help is 'aide'. It can be used as a noun or a verb.
How to yell for help in French?
To yell for help in French, you can shout 'Au secours!'. This translates directly to 'To the rescue!' and is a common way to call for assistance in an emergency.
What is au secours?
'Au secours!' is a French exclamation used to call for help in a dangerous situation. It means 'Help!' or 'To the rescue!'.
How to say 'I need help' in French?
To say 'I need help' in French, you can use the phrase 'J'ai besoin d'aide'. This is a polite and common way to ask for assistance.
