can I help you?

FORMAL
This page is about the conversational phrase can I help you?

Meaning

If you work in a shop or a business, you can say this to a customer if you think they might need your help.

For example

  • I was looking at the jeans when a sales assistant came over and said, "Can I help you?"

  • My sister hates it when sales staff keep saying "Can I help you?" when she's checking stuff out.

Quick Quiz

You'd say "Can I help you?" a lot if you worked in

a. a food factory

b. a shoe store

c. a prison
a) a food factory b) a shoe store c) a prison

Contributor: Matt Errey