When to use reflexives, when not?

Question

I dont understand, when to use reflexives?

Like is this sentence correct? - Puedo ayudarte

But im not "helping myself"

so i think i am lacking a basic understanding of when to use reflexives and when not to....

Thanks

Answer 1

Your sample sentence means "I can help you". The te on the end of the verb is the indirect object. 'Puedo' = I can 'Ayudar' = to help/assist 'te' = you

If you wanted to say I can help myself I believe you would say "Puedo ayudarme"

This is a quick answer but I know that our friendly family here will lead you in the correct direction

Great explanation sunshinzmomm - Izanoni1, Dec 29, 2009

thanks :) - sunshinzmommie, Dec 29, 2009

Answer 2

Puedo ayudarte

Except for the lack of punctuation (it should be "¿Puedo ayudarte?" / "¿Puedo ayudarle?" [and the latter is more likely than the former]) your sentence is correct but has nothing to do with reflexives. A fairly reliable indication of a real reflexive is whether or not one uses "myself", "himself", "ourselves", etc. in English. Without the "-self"/"-"selves", you are probably not talking about a reflexive.

Answer 3

When in a spanish shop i have been asked ''en qué pudeo ayudarle'' whin means ''in what can i help you'' (Polite..)