Meaning

Primary

To Be Helped

Alternatives

To Be Saved, To Be Rescued

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

You know that 助ける means "to help." This word, 助かる, is related, but it's a bit different. It means to be helped or to be saved. It's intransitive, so it doesn't take a direct object. Imagine shouting "I'm saved!" No direct object, right?

Verbs ending in okurigana that rhyme with ある tend to be intransitive like this. You can remember this because if something is ある, it's just there, existing, not acting on anything else. That's why verbs that sound like it are often intransitive too!

Reading

たすかる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading is the same as 助ける, so hopefully you know that word and can apply that knowledge over here.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 休みで助かる

    to find it helpful to have the day off

    これで助かる

    this will help

    おかげで助かる

    will be saved thanks to someone

Context Sentences

きっと助かるよ。平気。

I'm sure they'll be fine. It's okay.

家を出たら、目の前にタクシーがいて、助かった。

When I left the house, there was a taxi right in front of my eyes and I was saved.

今回の試験については、どんな答えを聞かれるか、先生が前もって教えてくれたので、とても助かった。

The teacher told us in advance what kind of answers we will be asked for on this test, which was very helpful.

Kanji Composition