ayuda
/ah-YOO-dah/
help
Visualizing 'ayuda' (help) as a supportive, guiding hand.
ayuda(Noun)
📝 In Action
Necesito un poco de ayuda, por favor.
A1I need a little help, please.
Gracias por tu ayuda con la mudanza.
A2Thanks for your help with the move.
La organización ofrece ayuda económica a estudiantes.
B1The organization offers financial aid to students.
💡 Grammar Points
It's a Feminine Noun
Even though it doesn't end in '-o' or '-a' in a typical way, 'ayuda' is a feminine word. That means you'll always use 'la ayuda' (the help) or 'una ayuda' (a help).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Noun and Verb
Mistake: "Sometimes learners say 'Necesito ayudo' when they mean 'I need help'."
Correction: The noun is 'ayuda', so say 'Necesito ayuda'. The word 'ayudo' is a verb form meaning 'I help'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking for Help
To ask for help, you can simply say '¿Me puedes ayudar?' (Can you help me?). If you need 'help' as a thing, you say 'Necesito ayuda'.
Depicting the verb 'ayuda' (helps) through the action of assisting another person with a task.
ayuda(Verb)
📝 In Action
Mi madre siempre me ayuda.
A1My mother always helps me.
El mapa ayuda mucho a los turistas.
A2The map helps tourists a lot.
¡Ayuda a tu hermano con sus deberes!
A2Help your brother with his homework!
💡 Grammar Points
Two Meanings in One Word
'Ayuda' can be a statement ('Él ayuda' - He helps) or a command ('¡Ayuda a tu amigo!' - Help your friend!). You can tell which it is from the other words in the sentence.
The Magic 'a'
When you help someone do something, you need to add the little word 'a' after 'ayudar'. For example, 'Te ayudo a cocinar' (I help you to cook).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'a'
Mistake: "A common English speaker mistake is saying 'Yo ayudo cocinar la cena'."
Correction: Remember to add 'a' before the next action. The correct way is 'Yo ayudo a cocinar la cena'.
Mixing up Commands
Mistake: "Using 'ayuda' when talking formally to someone (like a boss or an elder)."
Correction: For someone you'd call 'usted', the command form is 'ayude'. So, 'Señor, ayude al niño, por favor.' (Sir, help the child, please).
⭐ Usage Tips
Offering Help
A friendly way to offer help is to ask '¿Te ayudo?' (Can I help you?) or '¿Necesitas ayuda?' (Do you need help?).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ayuda
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'ayuda' as a noun (a thing)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'ayuda' and 'ayude'?
'Ayuda' is the informal command you'd give to a friend ('tú'), like '¡Juan, ayuda!'. 'Ayude' is the formal command for 'usted' (e.g., a stranger, a boss) or a special form used after words like 'quiero que...' (I want you to...).
How do I say 'Help me!'?
You can shout '¡Ayuda!' to get anyone's attention. To ask a specific person, you can say '¡Ayúdame!' (informal 'tú') or '¡Ayúdeme!' (formal 'usted').