"Ein Reiseführer hilft mir."

Translation: A travel guide helps me.

[CharlesOnDemand]

So, I take it helfen is a dative verb?

[PatriciaJH]

Yup.

[olerip]

Is a "travel guide" referencing a person? Or a book?

[ryan5]

I think it could be either one.

[VirgilJSchmidt]

Well IMHO, as someone who is still quite learning the language, since it uses the word "führer" as part of the compound, my impression is a person.

[kasra]

I did a google image search for "Reiseführer." I got lots of books, no actual person. I'm also "still quite learning the language," though...

[Lilithly]

yup, Reiseführer can mean both :)

[jogerj]

I guess it means both, unless it's "Reiseführerin" which can only mean a female travel guide (person)

[Yoicks]

This is an odd collection of occupations - weaver, tailor, travel guide etc. I'm more likely to need a policeman, plumber or electrician.

[MaggieRCasey]

My thought process for translated this started "trip... dictator?"

(I understand why that's not accurate, but I'm tired enough to think it's funny. :) )

[jogerj]

The english word "Führer" does mean a (tyrant) leader. It was developed from German language during the WWII as the word was mostly associated with Adolf Hitler.

[Borracini]

Why not "hilft mich"?

[PatriciaJH]

Helfen is a dative verb.

[xievoueeeer]

So what is the difference between Raetgeber and Reisefuehrer?

[Levi]

@xievoueeeer : They somewhat overlap each other in meaning, but according to PONS:
der Ratgeber = manual / adviser / advisor; Rat+geber = "advice giver" (so this can be a person)
der Reiseführer = guidebook / travel guide / guide / courier

[adi-hwn]

Why is "tour leader" not accepted?

[Marine_bleu]

same question !

[Pyeongkim]

Why not "A travel advisor helps me"?

[thraawn]

How would you say "A travel guide helped me" and what's the difference between a tour guide and a travel guide?

[Vabelie]

As to the distingo between tour guide and travel guide, I will leave the matter to native English speakers.

For the difference between past and present in German, I'm happy to oblige ☺:

Ein Reiseführer hat mir geholfen (normal, conversationnal speak).
Ein Reiseführer half mir (more formal speak, or writen form).

sfuspvwf npj

[richwakefi]

a tour guide is helping me. Is not correct?