ayudarlo
“ayudarlo” means “to help him” in Spanish (referring to a man or boy).
to help him, to help youAlso: to help it
📝 In Action
Necesito un minuto para ayudarlo con su equipaje.
A1I need a minute to help him with his luggage.
Si quiere, puedo ayudarlo a terminar el informe.
A2If you want, I can help you (formal) finish the report.
Es importante empezar el proyecto para poder ayudarlo a crecer.
B1It's important to start the project in order to help it grow.
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ayudarlo
Question 1 of 2
Which of these sentences correctly uses 'ayudarlo' to mean 'I want to help him'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
The root 'ayudar' comes from the Latin verb *adiutare*, meaning 'to help' or 'to assist'. The attached pronoun 'lo' comes from the Latin pronoun *illum* or *illud*, meaning 'him' or 'that'. The two were combined over time to create this single, fluid word.
First recorded: The base verb 'ayudar' appeared in Spanish texts during the 13th century.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'ayudarlo' always mean 'to help him'?
'Ayudarlo' means 'to help' + the direct object 'lo.' 'Lo' is used for 'him,' 'it' (if the object is masculine, like 'the car'), or 'you' (if you are addressing someone formally, 'usted').
Why is there an accent mark on the command form, like '¡Ayúdalo!'?
When you attach pronouns to a command or gerund, the original stress of the verb needs to be preserved. Adding 'lo' adds an extra syllable, so the written accent mark is necessary to keep the emphasis on the correct syllable (AY-u-da-lo).