Inklingo

How to Say "you help" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ayuda

/ah-YOO-dah//aˈʝuða/

VerbA1Formal
Use 'ayuda' when speaking formally to one person (usted) in a standard, indicative mood sentence.
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

Señora, ¿me ayuda con esto, por favor?

Madam, can you help me with this, 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).

ayudes

/ah-YOO-dehs//aˈʝuðes/

VerbB1Informal/Subjunctive
Use 'ayudes' when the subjunctive mood is required, such as in expressions of hope, doubt, or emotion directed at 'tú' (informal you).
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing one small figure extending a hand down to another small figure who is sitting on the ground, clearly helping them get back up. The background is soft and simple.

Examples

Ojalá tú me ayudes a terminar a tiempo.

I hope you help me finish on time.

Espero que tú me ayudes con la tarea.

I hope that you help me with the homework.

No creo que ayudes mucho si solo miras.

I don't think you help much if you just watch.

¡No ayudes a ese ladrón!

Don't help that thief!

The Subjunctive Use

You use 'ayudes' (the special verb form) when you are expressing a wish, doubt, or emotion about whether the person ('tú') will help. Example: 'Dudo que me ayudes' (I doubt that you will help me).

Negative Commands

'Ayudes' is also the form used for negative commands directed at 'tú'. To tell someone not to help, you must say 'No ayudes' (Don't help), not 'No ayudas'.

Mixing Commands

Mistake: “No ayudas a tu hermano.”

Correction: No ayudes a tu hermano. (The negative command for 'tú' always uses the special verb form, 'ayudes'.)

Indicative vs. Subjunctive Mood

The most common mistake is using the indicative 'ayuda' when the subjunctive 'ayudes' is needed for expressing wishes, doubts, or emotions. Remember that requests or statements of fact use the indicative, while hypothetical or emotional statements often require the subjunctive.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.