Inklingo

How to Say "assist" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “assist” is “ayude” — use 'ayude' when making a formal request to one person to help with something..

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ayude

ah-YOO-deh/aˈʝuðe/

verbB1formal
Use 'ayude' when making a formal request to one person to help with something.
A small figure struggling to push a large, heavy wooden cart up a hill, while a taller figure stands behind them, placing a hand on the cart to push and assist them.

Examples

Por favor, ayude a su madre con las bolsas.

Please, help your mother with the bags. (Formal command to one person)

Espero que la medicina me ayude a sentirme mejor.

I hope the medicine helps me feel better. (Subjunctive: expressing hope)

No creo que Juan ayude si no se lo pedimos.

I don't think Juan will help if we don't ask him. (Subjunctive: expressing doubt)

The Formal Command

When you need to politely tell one person (Usted) to help, you use 'Ayude.' This form is taken directly from the special verb form used for wishes and necessities (the present subjunctive).

Subjunctive Trigger

'Ayude' is used when expressing a wish, desire, or doubt about the action of helping, especially after phrases like 'Espero que...' (I hope that...) or 'Necesito que...' (I need that...).

Confusing Commands

Mistake: “Using 'Usted ayuda' for a command.”

Correction: For a formal command, always use 'Ayude'. 'Usted ayuda' is only for stating a fact: 'You help every day.'

ayuden

/ah-YOO-den//aˈʝuðen/

verbA2formal
Use 'ayuden' when making a formal request to multiple people to help with something.
A group of three people working together to lift a heavy fallen log off a forest path.

Examples

¡Por favor, ayuden a su abuela con las maletas!

Please, help your grandmother with the suitcases! (Formal command to multiple people)

No se queden ahí parados, ¡ayuden!

Don't just stand there, help!

Speaking to a group

Use 'ayuden' when you are addressing 'ustedes' (you all). It is the proper way to give a command or instruction to a group in both Latin America and Spain.

Ayudan vs. Ayuden

Mistake: “Using 'ayudan' for a command.”

Correction: Say 'ayuden' for commands. 'Ayudan' is just a statement like 'they help,' whereas 'ayuden' is like saying 'Everyone, help!'

Singular vs. Plural Formal Commands

The most common mistake is using the singular 'ayude' when addressing a group, or the plural 'ayuden' when addressing only one person. Remember that both are formal commands, but 'ayude' is for one person and 'ayuden' is for more than one.

Related Translations

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