French Phrase
Tu m'aides à me relever ?
Meaning
Literally, “Will you help me get up?” It is used when you have fallen or are in a position where you need physical assistance to stand again. The verb relever is reflexive here, indicating the action is performed on oneself with someone’s help.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal or semi‑formal contexts when you need a friend, family member, or even a stranger to help you stand up after a fall, after sitting on the floor, or when you’re struggling to get out of a chair.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tum'aidesàmerelever?
Aider + à + infinitif
The verb aider is followed by the preposition à and then an infinitive verb to express the action being helped with.
Pronoun placement
When a direct object pronoun (m') precedes a verb that also has a reflexive pronoun (me), the reflexive pronoun stays attached to the infinitive.
Reflexive verb relever
Relever is reflexive when the subject is acting on itself (se relever = to get up).
Question intonation
Raising the pitch at the end of the sentence signals a yes/no question in spoken French.
🗨In Conversation
Tu m'aides à me relever ?
Can you help me get up?
Bien sûr, tiens‑moi la main.
Sure, hold my hand.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu m'aides à revenir ?
Revenir means “to come back” and is not used for getting up physically; use relever instead.
Tu aides moi à me relever ?
The correct construction after aider is “aider quelqu’un à + infinitive”. Use the indirect object pronoun “m'” before the verb.
Tu m'aides à relever ?
When the subject of aider is the same as the person being helped, the infinitive stays reflexive: “aider à me relever”. Dropping the reflexive pronoun changes the meaning.
↔Alternatives
Tu m'aides à revenir ?
Will you help me get back (to a standing position)?
Tu peux me relever, s'il te plaît ?
Can you lift me up, please?
Aide‑moi à me relever.
Help me get up.
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking cultures, offering help after someone falls is considered polite and caring. However, be mindful of personal space; some people may feel embarrassed, so a gentle tone and a smile help keep the interaction friendly. In formal settings (e.g., a workplace), you might say “Puis‑je vous aider à vous relever ?” if you’re offering assistance rather than asking.