Inklingo

How to Say "help!" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ayuda

ah-YOO-dahaˈʝuða

VerbA1Informal
Use 'ayuda' as a command when asking a friend (tú form) to assist you with something, or as a noun for general assistance.
Two friendly cartoon characters working together to build a very tall tower of brightly colored wooden blocks, one character steadies the base while the other places the top block.

Examples

¡Ayúdame con estas cajas, por favor!

Help me with these boxes, please!

Mi madre siempre me ayuda.

My mother always helps me.

El mapa ayuda mucho a los turistas.

The map helps tourists a lot.

¡Ayuda a tu hermano con sus deberes!

Help your brother with his homework!

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).

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).

auxilio

owk-SEE-lee-ohau̯kˈsiljo

InterjectionA1Urgent
Use '¡Auxilio!' as an urgent, often loud, cry when you are in immediate danger and need rapid assistance.
A simple storybook illustration of a small figure urgently waving both arms while standing alone on a tiny rock surrounded by water, signaling distress and calling for help.

Examples

¡Auxilio! ¡Me he caído y no puedo levantarme!

Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!

¡Auxilio! ¡El coche se está deslizando!

Help! The car is sliding!

Ella gritó '¡Auxilio!' tan fuerte como pudo.

She shouted 'Help!' as loud as she could.

Exclamation Marks

When used as a shout, remember to use both the opening (¡) and closing (!) exclamation marks in Spanish: ¡Auxilio!

Using it for non-emergencies

Mistake: “¡Auxilio! ¿Me pasas la sal? (Help! Can you pass me the salt?)”

Correction: Use '¿Me ayudas?' or '¿Me pasas la sal, por favor?' '¡Auxilio!' is only for danger.

socorro

soh-KOH-rrohsoˈkoro

InterjectionA1Urgent
Use '¡Socorro!' as an urgent cry for help, similar to '¡Auxilio!', typically when facing a serious situation like drowning or a medical emergency.
A cartoon character urgently waves their arms while standing precariously on a tiny island in the ocean, signaling distress.

Examples

¡Socorro! ¡No sé nadar y la corriente me arrastra!

Help! I don't know how to swim and the current is pulling me!

¡Socorro! Me estoy ahogando, necesito un salvavidas.

Help! I'm drowning, I need a life preserver.

Alguien gritó '¡Socorro!' desde el edificio en llamas.

Someone shouted 'Help!' from the burning building.

Pronunciation Tip

The double 'rr' sound (rr) in 'socorro' requires a strong, rolled tongue movement, often called the 'trilled R'. Practice saying the 'r' in English words like 'butter' quickly, but with your tongue touching the roof of your mouth.

Confusing 'Socorro' and 'Ayuda'

Mistake: “Using '¡Ayuda!' in a life-or-death situation.”

Correction: While '¡Ayuda!' also means 'Help!', '¡Socorro!' is reserved for immediate, life-threatening emergencies. Think of 'socorro' as the 911 call.

Urgent Cries vs. General Requests

Learners often confuse 'auxilio' and 'socorro' with 'ayuda' when asking for assistance. Remember that '¡Auxilio!' and '¡Socorro!' are exclamations of immediate danger, while 'ayuda' is a more general term for help, often used as a command or a noun.

Related Translations

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