Inklingo

How to Say "helping" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ayudando

ah-yoo-DAHN-dohaʝuˈðan.do

verbA1general
Use 'ayudando' when referring to the action of assisting or giving aid to someone, typically in a continuous tense.
A colorful, simplistic illustration depicting an adult and a small child working together to carry a large, heavy woven basket. Both characters are smiling and focused on the task.

Examples

Mi hermana está ayudando a limpiar la cocina ahora mismo.

My sister is helping to clean the kitchen right now.

Aprendí mucho mirando videos y ayudando en proyectos pequeños.

I learned a lot by watching videos and helping on small projects.

Llevamos tres días ayudando en la mudanza de nuestros vecinos.

We have been helping with our neighbors' move for three days.

Forming Continuous Actions

The form ending in -ando (the gerund) is used with the verb 'estar' to talk about something currently in progress: 'Estoy ayudando' means 'I am helping'.

Describing the Method

You can use 'ayudando' by itself to explain how something was done, similar to saying 'by helping' in English: 'Ganó el premio ayudando a su comunidad'.

Using the Infinitive Incorrectly

Mistake: “Saying 'Yo estoy ayudar' (I am to help) when describing an ongoing action.”

Correction: Use 'ayudando' when the action is happening now: 'Yo estoy ayudando.'

porción

nounA1informal
Use 'porción' when referring to a single serving or slice of food, often used informally.

Examples

Quiero una porción de pizza de pepperoni.

I want a slice of pepperoni pizza.

ración

nounA2informal
Use 'ración' to indicate a specific, often measured, amount or serving of food.

Examples

Comí una ración de arroz con pollo.

I ate a portion of chicken with rice.

Confusing food portions with the act of helping

The most common mistake is using 'ayudando' when you mean a portion of food. Remember that 'porción' and 'ración' are exclusively for food servings, while 'ayudando' describes the act of assisting someone.

Related Translations

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