Learn Swedish: Kan du hjälpa mig?

Even though it is spelled with an 'ig', mig is pronounced like the English word 'me' (or 'mey'). You will notice this same spelling and pronunciation pattern with other object pronouns like dig (you) and sig (oneself). In casual text messages, you might even see Swedes spell it as mej.

Why is the verb hjälpa instead of hjälper?

Because it follows the helper verb kan (can). Just like in English, when you use a helper verb in Swedish, the second verb stays in its base 'dictionary' form (the infinitive). So it is kan du hjälpa (can you help), not kan du hjälper.

Why does this question start with the verb kan?

To make a yes/no question in Swedish, you simply swap the first verb and the subject. The statement Du kan hjälpa mig (You can help me) flips its first two words to become the question Kan du hjälpa mig? (Can you help me?).

How would I change this sentence to ask 'Can I help YOU?'

You need to swap the pronouns to match their new roles. You use the subject pronoun jag (I) as the one doing the helping, and the object pronoun dig (you) as the one receiving it. The sentence becomes Kan jag hjälpa dig?.