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German Phrase

Frag das Personal um Hilfe.

/fʁaːk das pɛʁzoˈnaːl ʊm ˈhɪlfə/
Meaning"Ask the staff for help."
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Meaning

Literally, ‘Ask the staff for help.’ It is a direct, informal command that you would use when you need assistance from employees in a shop, restaurant, hotel, or any service setting.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you are in a public place and need guidance, directions, or a solution to a problem. It works well in casual contexts with younger staff or when you’re speaking to a peer, but you can make it more polite by adding ‘bitte’ or using the formal form.

✦Grammar Breakdown

FragdasPersonalumHilfe

1

Imperative (du) of fragen

‘Frag’ is the informal singular imperative form of the verb ‘fragen’ (to ask). It is formed by dropping the infinitive ending –en and adding – (​) for du‑imperative.

2

Accusative object ‘das Personal’

‘Personal’ is a neuter noun; the article ‘das’ shows it is in the accusative case as the direct object of ‘fragen’.

3

Preposition ‘um’ + accusative

‘um’ meaning ‘for’ takes the accusative case, so ‘Hilfe’ stays in its base form.

🗨In Conversation

A

Entschuldigung, ich finde das Gerät nicht.

Excuse me, I can’t find the device.

Frag das Personal um Hilfe.

Ask the staff for help.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Fragen das Personal um Hilfe.

    The verb must be in imperative form ‘Frag’, not infinitive ‘fragen’, and the object follows the verb.

  • Frag das Personal nach um Hilfe.

    ‘Um’ already means ‘for’; adding ‘nach’ creates a double preposition error.

  • Frag das Personals um Hilfe.

    ‘Personal’ is neuter; the correct article in accusative is ‘das’, not the genitive ‘des Personals’.

↔Alternatives

  • Bitte das Personal um Hilfe bitten.

    Please ask the staff for help.

  • Wenden Sie sich an das Personal.

    Turn to the staff.

  • Können Sie das Personal um Hilfe bitten?

    Could you ask the staff for help?

de

Cultural Tip

In German‑speaking countries it is customary to start a request with ‘Entschuldigung’ or ‘Bitte’ to soften the command. While ‘Frag das Personal um Hilfe’ is perfectly understandable, adding ‘bitte’ (e.g., ‘Bitte frag das Personal um Hilfe’) makes it sound more courteous, especially when speaking to older staff or in formal settings.