French · Greetings & Essentials
"Help!" in French: au secours !
au secours !
Help! as an emergency shout in French is au secours ! Yell it if someone falls or you need urgent attention. For ordinary favors, use aide-moi instead.
Street emergency
Au secours ! Il est tombé du vélo.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce au secours !
Say it
oh suh-KOOR
/o sə.kuʁ/
Au is oh. Secours is suh-KOOR with a final silent s. Together: oh-suh-KOOR.
"Help!" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| au secours ! | help! Emergency shout. | Emergency shout. |
| à l'aide ! | help! Also urgent; slightly formal. | Also urgent; slightly formal. |
| au secours, quelqu'un ! | help, someone! Calling people nearby. | Calling people nearby. |
| crier au secours | to cry for help Narrating an emergency. | Narrating an emergency. |
How to use au secours ! in real life
- 1Street emergency
Au secours ! Il est tombé du vélo.
Help! He fell off the bike.
Full shout au secours.
- 2Pool panic
Au secours, je n'arrive plus à toucher !
Help, I can't touch the bottom anymore!
Urgent swimming call.
- 3Hiking slip
Elle a crié au secours depuis la pente.
She shouted for help from the slope.
Crier au secours.
Mistakes English speakers make with au secours !
Incorrect: Help ! Au aide !
Correct: Au secours !
The set emergency cry is au secours.
Incorrect: Au secours pour ouvrir le bocal.
Correct: Aide-moi à ouvrir le bocal.
Au secours is for emergencies, not jar lids.
Good to know
Au secours ! is reserved for real danger or dramatic jokes among friends. In a shop, you never shout it—say excusez-moi or vous pouvez m'aider ?
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Someone slips on ice
ChatPal
Au secours ! Il glisse près de l'entrée.
Help! He's slipping near the entrance.
You
J'arrive ! Au secours, on a besoin d'un bras.
Coming! Help—we need an arm.
ChatPal
Doucement. Tu tiens son sac ?
Easy. Are you holding his bag?
You
Oui. Il peut se relever maintenant.
Yes. He can get up now.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Help!" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Help!" in French
How do you shout for help in French?
Au secours !
When do I use au secours?
Emergencies—not everyday favors.
What about aide-moi?
Aide-moi is for normal help between people.
How do you pronounce au secours?
oh suh-KOOR.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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