🇬🇧🇨🇳 helpless - 无助 : English Lesson

Meaning of "helpless" ("无助"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

Helpless means you can’t do something by yourself, even if you really want to, so you need someone or something to help you.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

I felt helpless when my shoelaces made a super-knot that even my teeth couldn’t untie.

The cookie jar was helpless on the top shelf while I stacked books, boxes, and a cat to try to reach it.

Our teacher looked helpless when the smartboard froze and only showed a giant spinning circle.

The balloon was helpless in the sky, drifting away while we jumped like popcorn underneath it.

The cat sat helpless on the windowsill, watching a squirrel do victory dances in the yard.

A child found a small kitten stuck in a drain and felt helpless. The kitten gave a tiny, helpless cry. The child looked helpless at the heavy grate; a woman passing looked helpless too, then ran for help. Two neighbors returned, lifted the grate, and the child hugged the kitten, no longer helpless.

This word is at the C1 level, which means it’s part of advanced English. It’s used in sophisticated conversations, professional settings, and academic discussions. Words at this level help you express yourself fluently and precisely in nuanced situations.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.