temporary worker / help
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temporary worker
A person who works temporarily or for a limited time in a business or household in order to help when there is a staff shortage or an increased workload.
Im Weihnachtsgeschäft stellen viele Läden Aushilfen ein.
During the Christmas shopping season, many stores hire temporary workers.
The word is made up of the prefix 'aus-' and the noun 'Hilfe' (help). The prefix suggests helping someone out of a difficult situation, such as a staff shortage.
Ohne die Aushilfe meiner Kollegen hätte ich die Arbeit nicht geschafft.
Without the help of my colleagues, I would not have managed the work.
The word can refer to a person or to an activity. When a person is meant, the word is countable ('eine Aushilfe' = one temporary worker, 'zwei Aushilfen' = two temporary workers). When the activity is meant, it is uncountable and is often used with verbs like 'brauchen' (to need) or 'leisten' (to provide).
Das Restaurant sucht für den Sommer noch zwei Aushilfen.
The restaurant is still looking for two temporary workers for the summer.
When a person is meant, the construction 'als Aushilfe arbeiten' (to work as a temporary worker) or 'als Aushilfe jobben' (to have a temporary job) is often used to describe the type of employment.
Während des Studiums hat sie als Aushilfe in einem Café gearbeitet.
During her studies, she worked as a temporary worker in a café.
When the activity of helping is meant, 'Aushilfe' (help/assistance) is often used in fixed expressions. Typical phrases are 'um Aushilfe bitten' (to ask for help) or 'jemandem Aushilfe leisten' (to provide someone with assistance).
Der Landwirt bat seine Nachbarn um Aushilfe bei der Ernte.
The farmer asked his neighbors for help with the harvest.
help
'Hilfe' and 'Aushilfe' both have to do with support. 'Hilfe' is the general word: someone supports a person, helps solve a problem, or makes a task easier. It can also mean a person or thing that helps. 'Aushilfe' is more specific. It usually means a person who works only temporarily in a shop, office, or household because there is more work at the moment or someone is absent. Learners may confuse the words because both contain 'Hilfe'. In practice: for general support, you say 'Hilfe'; for a temporary worker, you say 'Aushilfe'.
Im Dezember sucht der Supermarkt eine Aushilfe für die Kasse.
In December, the supermarket is looking for a temporary worker for the checkout.
Ohne die Hilfe meiner Nachbarin hätte ich den schweren Schrank nicht tragen können.
Without my neighbor's help, I would not have been able to carry the heavy wardrobe.