Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'assist'

English Word: assist

Key Russian Translations:

• помогать [pɐˈmoɡətʲ] - [Informal, General Use]
• содействовать [sɐˈdʲejstvəvətʲ] - [Formal, Professional Context]
• поддерживать [pɐdʲˈdʲerʐɨvətʲ] - [General, Often Emotional or Moral Support]

Frequency: High (especially "помогать")

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "помогать"); B2 (Intermediate for "содействовать" and "поддерживать")

Pronunciation (Russian):

помогать: [pɐˈmoɡətʲ]

Note on помогать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'г' is pronounced as a voiced fricative [ɡ].

содействовать: [sɐˈdʲejstvəvətʲ]

Note on содействовать: Stress on the second syllable. The cluster 'йст' can be tricky for non-native speakers.

поддерживать: [pɐdʲˈdʲerʐɨvətʲ]

Note on поддерживать: Stress on the third syllable. Double 'д' is pronounced distinctly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To help someone with a task or problem

Translation(s) & Context:

• помогать - Commonly used in everyday situations for general help.
• содействовать - Used in formal or professional contexts, often implying collaboration.

Usage Examples:

• Я могу помочь тебе с домашним заданием.

  I can help you with your homework.

• Мы готовы содействовать в решении этого вопроса.

  We are ready to assist in resolving this issue.

• Она помогла мне найти работу.

  She helped me find a job.

2. To provide support or encouragement

Translation(s) & Context:

• поддерживать - Often used for emotional, moral, or ongoing support.

Usage Examples:

• Друзья всегда поддерживают меня в трудные времена.

  Friends always support me in difficult times.

• Мы поддерживаем вашу инициативу.

  We support your initiative.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

помогать (verb, imperfective): Regular conjugation in present, past, and future tenses. Often paired with the perfective "помочь" for completed actions.

Person	Present Tense	Past Tense	Future Tense
Я (I)	помогаю	помогал/помогала	буду помогать
Ты (You, singular)	помогаешь	помогал/помогала	будешь помогать
Он/Она (He/She)	помогает	помогал/помогала	будет помогать

содействовать (verb, imperfective): Regular conjugation, formal tone. Perfective form is "содействовать/посодействовать".

поддерживать (verb, imperfective): Regular conjugation, often used with accusative case for direct objects. Perfective form is "поддержать".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "помогать":

• выручать
• способствовать

Note: "выручать" often implies helping in a difficult or urgent situation.

Antonyms for "помогать":

• мешать
• препятствовать

Related Phrases:

• помочь в беде - "to help in trouble" (assisting during a crisis)
• содействовать развитию - "to assist in development" (formal, often used in business or policy)
• поддерживать связь - "to maintain contact" (support through communication)

Usage Notes:

• "помогать" is the most versatile and commonly used translation for "assist", suitable for most informal and general contexts. It requires the dative case for the person being helped (e.g., "помогать кому?").
• "содействовать" is more formal and often used in written or professional language, implying active collaboration or facilitation.
• "поддерживать" often carries a connotation of ongoing support, either emotional or practical, and may not always fit contexts of one-time help.

Common Errors:

Error 1: Incorrect case usage with "помогать".

Wrong: Я помогаю его (genitive case). Correct: Я помогаю ему (dative case). Explanation: "помогать" governs the dative case for the person receiving help.

Error 2: Overusing "содействовать" in informal contexts.

Wrong: Я содействую другу с заданием. Correct: Я помогаю другу с заданием. Explanation: "содействовать" sounds overly formal for personal help.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, offering and accepting help (помощь) is often seen as a sign of closeness or community. The verb "помогать" is frequently used in daily interactions, reflecting a cultural emphasis on mutual support. However, formal assistance, as implied by "содействовать", might be associated with bureaucratic or institutional contexts.

Related Concepts:

• помощь (help, assistance)
• поддержка (support)
• сотрудничество (collaboration)