To Help

幫忙 (T) / 帮忙 (S) [bāngmáng] and 幫助 (T) / 帮助 (S) [bāngzhù] means to help in Mandarin. However they are used differently.

Let us analyze the sentence "I help my mother"

• Version One: 幫忙 (T) / 帮忙 (S) [bāngmáng]

Grammatically, 幫忙 (T) / 帮忙 (S) [bāngmáng] is used in a verb + object structure.
我 幫 媽媽 忙 (T)

我 帮 妈妈 忙 (S)

wǒ bāng māma máng

verb = 幫忙 (T) / 帮忙 (S) [bāng máng] /help
object = 媽媽 (T)/ 妈妈 (S) [māma] / mother

• Version Two: 幫助 (T) / 帮助 (S) [bāngzhù]

Grammatically, 幫助 (T) / 帮助 (S) [bāngzhù] is a vocabulary word used together. You may not separate it.
我 幫 助 媽媽 (T)
我 帮 助 妈妈 (S)
wǒ bāng zhù māma



So why would you use version one versus version two? Is the meaning interchangeable? No it is not. The meaning of 助 (T/S) [zhù] is to assist or to support. If you use version two you have a supporting role. You may buy groceries and do some errands here and there, but your mom will be able to finish her task with or without you. On the other hand in version one your mom is extremely busy and your help is crucial in her finishing her task. Got it? Great.