How to Say "help" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “help” is “ayuda” — use 'ayuda' for general, everyday assistance or when asking for help in a simple way..
ayuda
/ah-YOO-dah//aˈʝuða/
Examples
Necesito un poco de ayuda, por favor.
I need a little help, please.
Gracias por tu ayuda con la mudanza.
Thanks for your help with the move.
La organización ofrece ayuda económica a estudiantes.
The organization offers financial aid to students.
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).
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'.
favor
/fa-VOR//faˈβoɾ/
Examples
¿Me puedes hacer un favor?
Can you do me a favor?
Por favor, cierra la puerta.
Please, close the door.
Le debo muchos favores a mi vecina.
I owe my neighbor a lot of favors.
The Magic of 'Por Favor'
Always use 'por favor' when asking for something. It's the Spanish equivalent of 'please' and is essential for being polite. You can put it at the beginning or end of a sentence.
Asking for Favors
Mistake: “Using 'preguntar un favor'.”
Correction: Always say 'pedir un favor'. Think of it this way: 'pedir' is for asking *for* things (like a favor or food), while 'preguntar' is for asking *for* information (a question).
mano
/mah-noh//ˈma.no/
Examples
¿Me puedes echar una mano con estas bolsas?
Can you give me a hand with these bags?
Siempre le doy una mano a mi abuela con el jardín.
I always give my grandmother a hand with the garden.
Necesito una mano para mover este sofá.
I need help to move this sofa.
servicio
/ser-BEE-syo//seɾˈbi.sjo/
Examples
El servicio al cliente en esa tienda es fantástico.
The customer service in that store is fantastic.
Los servicios de emergencia llegaron en cinco minutos.
The emergency services arrived in five minutes.
El hotel ofrece servicio de habitaciones las 24 horas.
The hotel offers 24-hour room service.
ayuden
/ah-YOO-den//aˈʝuðen/
Examples
¡Por favor, ayuden a su abuela con las maletas!
Please, help your grandmother with the suitcases!
No se queden ahí parados, ¡ayuden!
Don't just stand there, help!
Quiero que ellos nos ayuden con el proyecto.
I want them to help us with the project.
Es importante que ustedes me ayuden.
It is important that you all help me.
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.
The 'Wishing' Form
Spanish uses 'ayuden' instead of 'ayudan' when the sentence starts with expressions like 'I want that...' (Quiero que...) or 'I hope that...' (Espero que...).
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!'
asistencia
ah-sees-TEN-see-ah/a.sisˈten.sja/
Examples
Llamé al seguro para solicitar asistencia en carretera.
I called the insurance company to request roadside assistance.
El hospital ofreció asistencia psicológica a las víctimas.
The hospital offered psychological aid to the victims.
Necesita la asistencia de un experto para resolver el problema.
He needs the help of an expert to solve the problem.
Connecting Aid to the Receiver
When talking about who receives the help, you use the preposition 'a' (to/for). Example: 'asistencia a los damnificados' (aid for the victims).
ayude
ah-YOO-deh/aˈʝuðe/
Examples
Por favor, ayude a su madre con las bolsas.
Please, help your mother with the bags. (Formal command)
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.'
Noun vs. Verb Forms
Related Translations
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