How to Say "to help" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to help” is “ayudar” — use this for general, everyday assistance. It's the most common and versatile translation for 'to help'.
ayudar
ah-yoo-DAHRa.ʝuˈðaɾ
Examples
¿Me puedes ayudar, por favor?
Can you help me, please?
Mi hermano me ayudó a mudar los muebles.
My brother helped me move the furniture.
Siempre ayudo a mis abuelos con las compras.
I always help my grandparents with the shopping.
Helping People? Use 'a'!
When you're helping a specific person or pet, you must put the little word 'a' right after 'ayudar'. Think of it as a pointer to who's getting the help. For example: 'Ayudo a mi mamá' (I help my mom).
Helping *to do* something
If you're helping someone do another action, you also use 'a' before the next verb. For example: 'Te ayudo a limpiar' (I'll help you to clean).
Forgetting the 'personal a'
Mistake: “Voy a ayudar mi amigo.”
Correction: Voy a ayudar **a** mi amigo. Remember, Spanish uses this special 'a' to mark a person who receives the action of many verbs, and 'ayudar' is one of them!
apoyar
ah-poh-YARa.poˈʝaɾ
Examples
Todos los vecinos apoyamos su iniciativa para limpiar el parque.
All the neighbors support her initiative to clean the park.
La familia la apoyó financieramente durante sus estudios.
The family supported her financially during her studies.
Yo apoyo tu decisión, aunque sea difícil.
I back your decision, even if it's difficult.
Direct Object Use
When supporting a person or idea, 'apoyar' takes them as a direct object. Unlike some English equivalents, it doesn't usually require a preposition like 'a' before the person unless clarifying identity.
Confusing 'Apoyar' and 'Soportar'
Mistake: “Using 'soportar' when you mean 'to support' (help/back).”
Correction: 'Soportar' usually means 'to tolerate' or 'to bear a burden.' Use 'apoyar' for moral or financial help.
beneficiar
beh-neh-fee-syahrbenefiˈsjaɾ
Examples
Comer verduras beneficia mucho tu salud.
Eating vegetables benefits your health a lot.
La nueva ley va a beneficiar a las familias con hijos.
The new law is going to benefit families with children.
El buen clima benefició la cosecha de este año.
The good weather helped this year's harvest.
The 'Personal a'
When 'beneficiar' is followed by a specific person or group, you must use the word 'a' before them. For example: 'Beneficia a los niños'.
Benefit vs. Profiting
Use 'beneficiar' when something acts on another to help it. If you want to say you are gaining from something, you add 'se' (beneficiarse) followed by 'de'.
Forgetting the 'Personal a'
Mistake: “La medicina beneficia los pacientes.”
Correction: La medicina beneficia a los pacientes. (Always use 'a' when the beneficiary is a person.)
asistir
ah-sees-TEERasisˈtiɾ
Examples
Los paramédicos asistieron a los heridos en el accidente.
The paramedics assisted the injured people in the accident.
El abogado debe asistir a su cliente en el proceso legal.
The lawyer must assist his client in the legal process.
La enfermera asiste al cirujano durante la operación.
The nurse assists the surgeon during the operation.
Direct Object Use
When 'asistir' means 'to help,' the person being helped often receives the action directly, sometimes using the personal 'a' before the person, just like with the first meaning.
auxiliar
ow-ksee-lyahrawksiˈljaɾ
Examples
Los paramédicos llegaron para auxiliar a las víctimas.
The paramedics arrived to help the victims.
Debemos auxiliar a quienes más lo necesitan.
We must assist those who need it most.
El gobierno prometió auxiliar a las pequeñas empresas.
The government promised to aid small businesses.
Auxiliar vs Ayudar
While both mean 'to help,' 'auxiliar' is much more formal and often implies an emergency or a professional duty.
Using 'A' with People
When you help a person, you must use the word 'a' before their name or the person mentioned, like in 'auxiliar a Juan'.
The 'Help!' Mistake
Mistake: “If you are in danger, don't yell '¡Auxiliar!'”
Correction: Yell '¡Auxilio!' (Help!). 'Auxiliar' is the action of helping, while 'auxilio' is the cry for help.
General vs. Specific Help
Related Translations
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