assistance
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assistance
The act of actively helping a person in an emergency or with a difficulty. The term is often used in a formal or legal context.
Jeder ist zur Hilfeleistung verpflichtet, wenn er Zeuge eines Unfalls wird.
Everyone is obligated to provide assistance if they witness an accident.
This noun is made up of 'Hilfe' (help) and 'Leistung' (service/performance). So it literally describes the act or carrying out of help.
Die schnelle Hilfeleistung der Sanitäter rettete dem Mann das Leben.
The paramedics' quick assistance saved the man's life.
'Hilfeleistung' (assistance) is a formal term from administrative and legal language. In everyday speech, you would simply say 'Hilfe' (help). It is often found in connection with laws, duties, and emergencies.
Das Gesetz schreibt die Hilfeleistung bei Unfällen vor.
The law requires assistance in the event of accidents.
A very important and common combination is 'unterlassene Hilfeleistung' (failure to provide assistance). This is a criminal offense in Germany and describes the failure to help in an emergency.
Dem Autofahrer wird unterlassene Hilfeleistung vorgeworfen, weil er einfach weitergefahren ist.
The driver is accused of failure to provide assistance because he simply drove on.
help
'die Hilfe' and 'die Hilfeleistung' both mean that someone is being supported. 'die Hilfe' is the normal, broad word and fits almost all everyday situations: with homework, carrying something, problems, or emergencies. 'die Hilfeleistung' sounds more formal and is often used when someone actively helps in a difficult or dangerous situation, for example at an accident or in legal texts. Learners may confuse the words because they look very similar. In everyday life, 'Hilfe' is usually more natural; 'Hilfeleistung' fits better when the action is meant to be described officially or precisely.
Nach dem Unfall lobte die Polizei die schnelle Hilfeleistung der Passanten.
After the accident, the police praised the quick assistance provided by the passers-by.
Herr Schneider bedankt sich für die Hilfe seiner Kollegin.
Mr. Schneider thanks his colleague for her help.