助かる

• Reading: たすかる
• Romaji: tasukaru
• Kanji breakdown: 助 (jo/tasu) — help, assist, save
• Pronunciation: /ta.sɯ.ka.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To be saved; to be helped; to be a great help. Expresses relief when something saves effort or danger.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb. Has two main uses: being rescued from danger (命が助かった, one's life was saved) and expressing gratitude for help (助かります, that's a big help). The second usage is extremely common in daily conversation as a polite way to thank someone. The transitive counterpart is 助ける.

Examples

1. 手伝ってくれて本当に助かった。 Thanks for helping out — that was a real lifesaver.
2. 早く病院に行ったおかげで命が助かった。 His life was saved because he went to the hospital early.
3. 駅が近くて助かります。 It's so convenient having the station nearby.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, workplace, emergencies

Tone: grateful

Origin & History

Intransitive form of 助ける. The kanji 助 combines 力 (power) and 且 (moreover) — adding power to someone, hence saving or helping them.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal