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A colorful storybook illustration showing a tall character extending their hand down to help three smaller characters climb up a small, grassy slope.

ayudarlos

ah-yoo-DAR-los

Compound Verb Form (Infinitive + Pronoun)A1regular ar
to help them?referring to a masculine or mixed plural group
Also:to give assistance to them?formal alternative

Quick Reference

infinitiveayudar
gerundayudando
past Participleayudado

📝 In Action

Necesitamos subir este mueble. ¿Puedes ayudarlos?

A1

We need to lift this furniture. Can you help them?

Es mi responsabilidad ayudarlos a encontrar la solución.

B1

It is my responsibility to help them find the solution.

Estamos aquí para escucharlos y ayudarlos en todo.

A2

We are here to listen to them and help them with everything.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • asistirles (to assist them)
  • socorrerlos (to aid them (urgently))

Antonyms

  • obstaculizarlos (to hinder them)
  • dejar solos (to leave them alone)

Common Collocations

  • queremos ayudarlos – we want to help them
  • vamos a ayudarlos – we are going to help them

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Infinitive + Pronoun' Rule

In Spanish, when you use a verb in its base form (the infinitive, like 'ayudar'), you can attach pronouns like 'los' (them) directly to the end. This is common when the infinitive follows a conjugated verb (e.g., 'Necesito ayudarlos').

Pronoun Placement Options

When you have two verbs (e.g., 'I need to help them'), you have a choice: 'Necesito ayudarlos' (attached) OR 'Los necesito ayudar' (placed before the conjugated verb). Both are correct.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Misplacing the Accent

Mistake: "ayudarles (when referring to direct objects)"

Correction: While 'ayudarles' is correct if they are *indirect* objects, 'ayudarlos' is used when they are the *direct* objects (what receives the action), which is the most common use with 'ayudar'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Understanding 'Los'

'Los' acts as the direct object pronoun, meaning it represents the people or things receiving the help. Remember it's masculine plural, but it covers mixed groups of people too.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: ayudarlos

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses the form 'ayudarlos'?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'ayudarlos' one word or two?

It is always written as a single word in Spanish when the pronoun is attached to the infinitive.

When must I attach the pronoun?

You must attach the pronoun when the base verb is used in the infinitive (ayudar), the gerund (ayudando), or in an affirmative command (¡Ayúdalos!).

Why is there no written accent mark on 'ayudarlos'?

Although Spanish rules usually require an accent mark when attaching a pronoun to a verb form like this, 'ayudar' is a simple infinitive that doesn't need it. The stress naturally falls on the syllable 'dar'.