Inklingo

How to Say "helper" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ayudante

ah-yoo-DAHN-teha.ʝuˈðan.te

nounA2general
Use 'ayudante' for a general assistant or helper in most professional or office settings, or when referring to someone providing general support.
A storybook illustration showing a cheerful assistant in an apron handing a bright orange carrot to a taller chef in a brightly lit kitchen.

Examples

Mi nuevo ayudante es muy eficiente con las llamadas.

My new assistant is very efficient with the calls.

Ella trabaja como ayudante de cocina en el restaurante.

She works as a kitchen helper in the restaurant.

El profesor necesita un ayudante para calificar los exámenes.

The professor needs an assistant to grade the exams.

Common Gender Nouns

The word 'ayudante' is used for both men and women. You only change the word that comes before it: 'el ayudante' (male assistant) or 'la ayudante' (female assistant).

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'ayudante' when you mean the action of helping, which is 'ayudar'.”

Correction: Remember, 'ayudante' is the person (the helper), and 'ayudar' is the verb (to help).

pinche

PEEN-chehˈpintʃe

nounB2informal
Use 'pinche' specifically for a general assistant in a workshop or kitchen, often in a role that involves manual labor or preparation tasks.
A young kitchen assistant in a chef's hat peeling a large pile of potatoes.

Examples

El pinche está encargado de pelar todas las patatas.

The kitchen assistant is in charge of peeling all the potatoes.

Todos los grandes chefs empezaron como pinches.

All great chefs started as kitchen help.

Necesito un pinche que sea rápido con el cuchillo.

I need an assistant who is fast with a knife.

The Article Matters

Even though the word ends in 'e', you use 'el' for a male assistant and 'la' for a female assistant ('el pinche' vs 'la pinche').

False Friend Alert

Mistake: “Thinking 'pinche' means 'to pinch' something with your fingers.”

Correction: The action of pinching is 'pellizcar'. A 'pinche' is a person who helps in the kitchen.

General Assistant vs. Kitchen/Workshop Assistant

Learners often confuse 'ayudante' and 'pinche' by using 'pinche' in professional office settings. Remember that 'pinche' is typically reserved for more hands-on, often lower-level, roles in kitchens or workshops, while 'ayudante' is the general-purpose term.

Related Translations

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