assistance
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assistance
Active support or participation in a shared task, project, or activity.
Dank der tatkräftigen Mithilfe der Nachbarn war der Umzug schnell geschafft.
Thanks to the active assistance of the neighbors, the move was finished quickly.
'Mithilfe' (assistance) is made up of the prefix 'mit-' (with/along) and the noun 'Hilfe' (help). So it literally describes help that one provides together with others or as a contribution toward a shared goal.
Nur durch die Mithilfe aller konnte das Projekt rechtzeitig fertig werden.
Only with everyone's assistance could the project be finished on time.
'Mithilfe' (assistance) is very often used in the constructions 'mit Mithilfe von jemandem' (with someone's assistance, dative) or 'dank der Mithilfe von jemandem' (thanks to someone's assistance, dative). Alternatively, the genitive can also be used: 'dank der Mithilfe der Freiwilligen' (thanks to the volunteers' assistance).
Mit der Mithilfe eines Experten konnten wir das Problem lösen.
With the assistance of an expert, we were able to solve the problem.
Common adjectives that describe 'Mithilfe' (assistance) are 'tatkräftig' (active/energetic), 'aktiv' (active), 'ehrenamtlich' (voluntary), or 'freundlich' (kind). A typical verb is 'um Mithilfe bitten' (to ask for assistance).
Wir bitten um Ihre aktive Mithilfe bei der Organisation des Schulfestes.
We ask for your active assistance in organizing the school festival.
through / by
Durch can generally name the means or mediation through which something succeeds. Die Mithilfe, on the other hand, explicitly refers to a person's active support or participation. Durch therefore works for means and causes, while Mithilfe is used only when someone helps with an activity.
Dank der Mithilfe einer Kollegin konnten wir die schwere Kiste bewegen.
With a colleague's assistance, we were able to move the heavy box.
Durch den Einsatz eines Krans konnten wir die schwere Kiste bewegen.
We were able to move the heavy box with the help of a crane.
