assistant / helper
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assistant / helper
A person who carries out supporting or simpler tasks in a company, institution, or household.
Als Student hat er als wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft an der Universität gearbeitet.
As a student, he worked as a research assistant at the university.
The word consists of 'Hilfe' (help) and 'Kraft' (worker/personnel). In this context, 'Kraft' does not mean strength, but a person who works. Similar formations are 'Lehrkraft' (teacher) or 'Arbeitskraft' (worker/labor force).
Für die Ernte suchen wir noch fleißige Hilfskräfte.
We are still looking for hard-working helpers for the harvest.
The work area of the Hilfskraft (assistant/helper) is often specified. Typical combinations are 'wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft' (research assistant, at university), 'studentische Hilfskraft' (student assistant), or 'Hilfskraft in der Küche/Pflege' (kitchen/care assistant).
Sie finanziert ihr Studium durch einen Job als studentische Hilfskraft.
She finances her studies through a job as a student assistant.
To describe a person's role or job, the preposition 'als' (as) is often used. Typical formulations are 'als Hilfskraft arbeiten' (to work as an assistant/helper) or 'jemanden als Hilfskraft einstellen' (to hire someone as an assistant/helper).
Das Unternehmen hat ihn als Hilfskraft für das Lager eingestellt.
The company hired him as a warehouse assistant.
helper
Helfer and Hilfskraft both refer to someone who supports others with a task. Helfer is the general, neutral term and also works for spontaneous or informal help. Hilfskraft more often refers to a person in a subordinate support role in a company, institution, or household.
Für den Aufbau des Festes stellte der Veranstalter eine Hilfskraft ein.
The organizer hired an assistant to help set up the festival.
Für den Aufbau des Festes fanden sich schnell mehrere freiwillige Helfer.
Several volunteers quickly came forward to help set up the festival.
