verb

weiterhelfen

help

Jemandem Unterstützung geben, damit er ein Problem besser lösen kann.

Definition & meaning

Weiterhelfen means to help someone make progress, to assist them with a problem, or to point them toward a solution. It often suggests helping someone get unstuck or figure out what to do next.

It is commonly used with a person in the dative case: jemandem weiterhelfen means “to help someone.”

Grammar & Word origin

Weiterhelfen is a separable verb formed from weiter (“further, onward”) and helfen (“to help”).

Infinitive: weiterhelfen
Present tense, third-person singular: hilft weiter
Simple past: half weiter
Present perfect: hat weitergeholfen

The person receiving help takes the dative case.

Synonyms & antonyms

helfen — “to help.” A general term; weiterhelfen more specifically suggests helping someone progress or find a way forward.
unterstützen — “to support” or “to assist.” Often implies providing practical, ongoing, or substantial support.
beraten — “to advise.” Focuses on offering guidance rather than helping in every possible way.
beistehen — “to stand by” or “to support.” Often emphasizes personal or emotional support.

There is no exact single-word antonym, but these expressions can convey the opposite:

jemanden im Stich lassen — “to abandon someone” or “to leave someone in the lurch.”
jemanden behindern ? — “to hinder someone,” meaning to make their progress harder.

Common phrases & collocations

Kann ich Ihnen weiterhelfen? — “Can I help you?”
jemandem bei etwas weiterhelfen — “to help someone with something.”
Das hilft mir nicht weiter. — “That doesn’t help me” or “That doesn’t get me any further.”