If you want to say the noun form of “help” in Spanish, you’d say la ayuda. Looking for the verb form? Then you’d generally use the infinitive ayudar and conjugate it appropriately. Or, perhaps you need to call for help—then you should use words like ¡Socorro! or ¡Auxilio!
The words for “help” in Spanish are all dependent on the context of what you’re trying to express and to whom. With the help of this guide, you’ll learn how to offer help, ask for help, and call for help in Spanish, as well as show gratitude to those who’ve assisted you. You can hear all these words in natural contexts through Rosetta Stone Live Lessons, where you can interact with native Spanish speakers and practice your newly acquired vocabulary in real-time conversations.
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Offering help in Spanish
With phrases like “How can I help you?” or “Do you need help?” in Spanish, the way you offer help can vary. The best choice depends on the formality of your conversation and the specific verb you use, which will be determined by the type of help you’re offering.
Ayudar
One of the most common Spanish verbs to use when offering help in general is the verb ayudar.
- ¿Te puedo ayudar? = Can I help you?
- ¿Le puedo ayudar, señor? = Can I help you, sir?
- ¿Necesitas que te ayude con algo? = Do you need me to help you with anything?
- ¿Cómo puedo ayudarte con esto? = How can I help you with this?
Servir
Servir, a common Spanish -IR verb, can also be used, typically in service-oriented contexts like a hotel or restaurant. Here are some examples:
- Bienvenidos a nuestro hotel. ¿En qué les puedo servir? = Welcome to our hotel. How can I help you?
- Estoy aquí para servirle. Solo dígame qué necesita. = I’m here to help you. Just tell me what you need.
How to ask for help
To confidently handle new situations and encounters in Spanish-speaking countries, you’ll need to know how to ask for help in Spanish. Depending on how you want to phrase your request for help, you can use the noun ayuda or the verb ayudar.
Using the noun ayuda to ask for help
Perhaps the most straightforward way to ask for help is to use the common verb necesitar (to need) with the noun ayuda (help).
- Necesito ayuda con este problema. = I need help with this problem.
- Necesito ayuda con la computadora, no funciona. = I need help with the computer, it’s not working.
Using the verb ayudar to ask for help
In addition to offering help, you can similarly use ayudar to request assistance. Here’s how:
- ¿Me puedes ayudar con esto? = Can you help me with this?
- Estamos perdidos. ¿Nos podría ayudar, por favor? = We are lost. Could you help us, please?
- Necesito que me ayudes a mover el sofá.= I need you to help me move the couch.
Calling for help in Spanish
From a minor snag to a dire emergency, learning how to call for help in Spanish is a must. Hopefully, you won’t need it, but it’s best to be prepared.
Auxilio
Auxilio is a common Spanish noun that translates to “aid,” “assistance,” or “help.” You can use it in a sentence, or it can stand alone as a Spanish interjection to cry out for immediate aid. For example:
- ¡Auxilio! ¡No puedo encontrar a mi hija! = Help! I can’t find my daughter!
- ¡Auxilio! ¡Se está inundando el sótano! = Help! The basement is flooding!
Socorro
Socorro, another interjection, can also be used to signal an urgent call for help. In written Spanish, interjections like these are emphasized with an inverted exclamation point, a distinct Spanish punctuation mark. Here’s how you would use socorro in context:
- ¡Socorro! ¡Hay una cascabel en el garaje! = Help! There is a rattlesnake in the garage!
- ¡Socorro! ¡No puedo respirar! = Help! I can’t breathe!
Ayúdame
While auxilio and socorro are a perfect fit for an urgent situation, ayúdame, the translation of “help me” in Spanish, doesn’t pack quite as much punch. You’d use it if you need a hand carrying groceries, figuring out a problem, or even if you’re in a tricky but not life-threatening situation.
As with any verb in the Spanish imperative mood, ayudar is conjugated according to the person you’re addressing, thus distinguishing between usted and tú in Spanish and whether you’re speaking to one person or a group.
- ¡Ayúdame a llevar estas bolsas! = Help me carry these bags!
- Señorita, por favor, ¡ayúdeme a llegar a la estación! = Miss, please, help me get to the train station!
- Niños, ¡ayúdennos a poner la mesa! = Kids, help us set the table!
How to show gratitude for assistance
When someone lends you una mano (a hand), you’ll want to be able to say “thank you for your help” in Spanish. Here are some examples:
- Gracias por tu ayuda. = Thank you for your help.
- Le agradezco mucho su ayuda.= I really appreciate your help.
You might also find it useful to learn how to say “sorry” in Spanish for when you’re unable to provide help. For example:
- Lo siento, no puedo ayudarte. = I’m sorry, I can’t help you.
Learning all the ways to say “help” in different contexts takes practice. You can expand on your knowledge by looking up related words in a reliable online Spanish dictionary, including terms like “helpful” in Spanish,” and then apply those newly acquired words in a conversation with a Rosetta Stone Tutor. Their personalized guidance and real-time feedback will give you the confidence to use “help” and related words and phrases in conversation in no time.
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