Can you...?

Question

When one asks "Can you [verb]?" is it best to conjugate "poder" + infinitive or to conjugate the verb?

For example, which of the following is better?

a. ¿Me puedes ayudar?

b. ¿Me ayudas?

If it depends on the context, please explain.

Thanks

• Nice post, mm. :) - Heidita Sep 3, 2009

Answer 1

a. ¿Me puedes ayudar? = Can you help me?

b. ¿Me ayudas? = Do you help me?

Which one would you use in English? Use the same one in Spanish.