The German word "Helfen" is spelled with an "h," an "e," an "l," an "f," and an "n" in that order. The "h" is pronounced like the English "h," while the "e" is pronounced like the English "e" in "end." The "l" and "f" are pronounced like the English letters "l" and "f," respectively. Lastly, the "en" at the end is pronounced like the English "-en" in words like "taken" or "broken." In IPA phonetic transcription, "Helfen" is spelled /ˈhɛlfən/.
Helfen is a German verb meaning "to help" or "to assist." It is often used to describe the act of providing aid, support, or assistance to someone in need. The word is derived from the Middle High German term "helphen," which can be traced back to the Old High German term "helphan."
In its most general sense, "helfen" refers to the act of lending a hand or offering aid to others. It implies an intention to alleviate a person's distress, solve a problem, or contribute to their well-being. The nature of the assistance can vary widely, encompassing both physical and emotional support.
"Helfen" can also denote the act of assisting or contributing to a specific task or goal. It suggests a collaborative effort with the purpose of achieving a particular objective. This can include helping someone accomplish a task, completing a project together, or contributing to a collective effort.
Furthermore, "helfen" can describe providing support or assistance in a professional or specialized context. This can range from assisting someone with their work or studies to offering guidance or advice in a specific field.
Overall, "helfen" encapsulates the concept of providing aid, support, or assistance to others, emphasizing the intention of alleviating their burdens and contributing to their well-being or the achievement of a particular goal.
The word "Helfen" comes from the Old High German word "helfan", which in turn derives from the Proto-Germanic root "*helpōną". This root is related to the Old English word "helpan", the Old Norse word "hjálpa", and the Old Frisian word "helpa", all of which mean "to help". The Proto-Germanic root itself can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*kelb(h)-", which carries the meaning "to help" or "to serve". Overall, the etymology of "Helfen" points to its ancient roots in the Proto-Indo-European language and its development throughout Germanic history.