Korean Dictionary
How to say "Can you help me?" in Korean
“Can you help me?” in Korean is 도와주실 수 있어요 (pronounced "Dowajuseul su isseoyo").
도와주실 수 있어요
Dowajuseul su isseoyo
Usage & Context
Politely asking a stranger for assistance. Koreans tend to be very helpful to tourists who approach respectfully. Start with 실례합니다 (excuse me) before asking for help. Many younger Koreans can communicate in basic English, especially in tourist areas.
Example Sentence
실례합니다. 도와주실 수 있어요? 길을 잃었어요.
Excuse me. Can you help me? I'm lost.
How to use 도와주실 수 있어요 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Can you help me?” is 도와주실 수 있어요, romanized as Dowajuseul su isseoyo.
Usage tip
Pair this travel word with polite request endings like -요 so it works in hotels, stations, taxis, and shops.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 도와주실 수 있어요.
Pronunciation Guide
'Do' sounds like 'doh' in 'doughnut'. 'Wa' is like 'wah' in 'waffle'. 'Ju' is like 'joo' in 'juice'. 'Sil' sounds like 'shil' in 'shell' but with a clear 's' sound. 'Su' is like 'soo' in 'soup'. 'Is' is like 'iss' in 'hiss'. 'Seo' is like 'suh' in 'sudden'. 'Yo' is like 'yo' in 'yogurt'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
도와주실 수 있습니까?
Dowajusil su itseumnikka?
This is a more formal and deferential way to ask for help, suitable for very formal situations or when addressing someone of much higher status.
Casual (반말)
도와줄 수 있어?
Dowajul su isseo?
This is the casual form, used with close friends or people younger than you.
More Example Sentences
Asking for assistance with a heavy load or many bags.
짐이 너무 많아서 도와주실 수 있어요?
I have too much luggage, can you help me?
Asking for guidance or instruction on how to operate something.
이거 어떻게 하는지 모르겠는데, 좀 도와주실 수 있어요?
I don't know how to do this, can you help me a bit?
Explaining a language barrier when seeking assistance.
제가 한국말을 잘 못해서 도와주실 수 있을까요?
I don't speak Korean well, could you help me?
Cultural Context
When approaching a stranger for help in Korea, it's crucial to start with a polite phrase like '실례합니다' (sillyehamnida - excuse me) or '저기요' (jeogiyo - excuse me/hey there). Koreans are generally very helpful and understanding towards tourists, especially if you show respect and make an effort to speak some Korean. Younger generations, particularly in urban and tourist areas, are more likely to understand and speak basic English.
Editorial note
We review entries like 도와주실 수 있어요 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
도와주셔서 감사합니다.
Thank you for your help.
제가 도와드릴게요.
I'll help you.
무엇을 도와드릴까요?
How can I help you?
Related Expressions
도와주세요
Dowajuseyo
Please help me (more direct)
도움
Doum
Help (noun)
실례합니다
Sillyehamnida
Excuse me
괜찮아요
Gwaenchanayo
It's okay/I'm fine (often used as a response)
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