Where is ¨"¡Socorro!" said for "Help!"?

Question

I always thought that "¡Socorro!" was how one would call for help in an emergency.

I was teaching three Guatemalans and an El Salvadoran tonight who said that they would never say that. They seemed to think I was a bit nuts for having it translated that way in the book. Apparently "¡Auxílio!" is what you would scream if you´re being robbed in Guatemala or El Salvador. They said that they never used the word "socorro" except in reference to firemen.

I´d like to know how you would yell for help in different countries...Mexico, Spain, Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, etc.

Thanks.

Excellent question! I always wondered about this very thing. - Sheily, Apr 28, 2011

Answer 1

I know that word but no, I wouldn't say it, I'd say: ¡Ayuda! or ¡Auxilio! , however some people use it here in Mexico, the meaning is the same, you don't have to use it in a specific situation.

a specific situaton. - NickDan, Apr 29, 2011

thank you :). - Dakie, Apr 29, 2011

Answer 2

In Argentina, both words are perfectly normals.

perfectly normal (adjectives in English aren't pluralized) :) - Deanski, Apr 28, 2011

I'll remember it! - ale_rd, Apr 29, 2011

Answer 3

According to the Diccionario de la Lengua Española:

auxilio

Del lat. auxilium.

1. m. Ayuda, socorro, amparo.

If I had to yell for help, I think I would say: "¡Auxilio, socorro, ayuda!"

loved your comment about the origin of socorro. - Mardle, Sep 1, 2016

I hadn't thought of the link with the English word 'succour' - Mardle, Sep 1, 2016

Quite interesting. I had never heard the word 'succour' - LuisCache, Sep 2, 2016

I found this in the Oxford English Dictionary: "...Origin Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin succursus, from Latin succurrere 'run to the help of', from sub- 'from below' + currere 'run'." - LuisCache, Sep 2, 2016

Answer 4

My Colombian friend always yells ¡Auxilio! He says that ¡Ayuda! is also acceptable.

Welcome to SD. Why did you dig up this very old thread? Much better is to create a new one. :) - ian-hill, Sep 1, 2016

But I enjoyed reading it and never would have found it but for its having been resurrected. Mods rule, though, ian! I'm not trying to get in your way. - AnnRon, Sep 1, 2016

welcome to the forum and it is great you have put your language level. - Mardle, Sep 1, 2016

Answer 5

It seems that you use "auxilio" in an emergency, but "socorro" when your life is directly in danger. If firemen recognize this term, then there is no doubt I would scream "help!" and "¡socorro!" whenever and wherever I'm about to drown in a flood, or in any other life-threatening situation. Don't believe me? "El/La socorrista" means lifeguard.

Answer 6

Socorro sounds like comes from the english "scorch" which relates to fire.

"Socorro" comes from the verb "socorrer" and this word comes from latin "succurrĕre". - LuisCache, Sep 1, 2016