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ayudar means to help — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: July 6, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

ayudar

verb • /[ah-yoo-DAR]/

to help

Example:

¿Me puedes ayudar con estas bolsas?

Can you help me with these bags?

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🧠 What does ayudar mean?

The Spanish verb "ayudar" means "to help" in English. It's a very common and useful verb for expressing assistance or support to someone. You can use it in a wide range of situations, from helping someone with a task to offering aid in a difficult situation. "Ayudar" is often followed by the preposition "a" before the person or thing being helped.

📚 Extra examples

  • Puedo ayudarte con la tarea.
    I can help you with the homework.
  • Ella ayudó a su abuela a cruzar la calle.
    She helped her grandmother cross the street.
  • Nos ayudaron a encontrar el hotel.
    They helped us find the hotel.
  • Gracias por ayudarme.
    Thank you for helping me.
  • ¿Me ayudas, por favor?
    Can you help me, please?

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to help' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to help' in Spanish is "ayudar".
How do you pronounce 'ayudar' in Spanish?
It's pronounced roughly as 'ah-yoo-DAHR', with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'ayudar' in a sentence?
You can use it like this: 'Puedo ayudarte' (I can help you) or 'Ayudo a mi madre' (I help my mother). Notice how 'a' is used before the person being helped.
What is the English translation of 'ayudar'?
The English translation of 'ayudar' is 'to help'.
Does 'ayudar' change for gender or number?
Yes, 'ayudar' conjugates like a regular -ar verb. For example, 'yo ayudo' (I help), 'tú ayudas' (you help), 'él/ella/usted ayuda' (he/she/you formal help), 'nosotros/as ayudamos' (we help), 'vosotros/as ayudáis' (you all help - Spain), 'ellos/ellas/ustedes ayudan' (they/you all help).
Is 'ayudar' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'ayudar' is a very common verb in everyday Spanish conversation.
Does 'ayudar' have slang or double meanings?
Not really. "Ayudar" has a pretty straightforward meaning. In some contexts, offering 'ayuda' can imply financial assistance, but generally it refers to any kind of help.
Is 'ayudar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The use of 'ayudar' is largely the same across Spain and Latin America, with only minor variations in pronunciation.
How do you conjugate 'ayudar' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense conjugation: Yo ayudo Tú ayudas Él/Ella/Usted ayuda Nosotros/as ayudamos Vosotros/as ayudáis (Spain) Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes ayudan

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "ayudar"

Synonyms: asistir, socorrer, apoyar
Opposites: obstaculizar, impedir, estorbar

💡 Did You Know?

The reflexive form, 'ayudarse', means 'to help oneself'. For example, 'Me ayudo a mí mismo' (I help myself).

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