socorrer - está utilizado?

Question

Is the verb "socorrer" (to help, to aid) ever used in normal speech? I've only ever heard ayudar. I'm hesitant to add it to my growing list of flashcards because I'm afraid that it's almost never used. But what do I know!

Thanks very much, Mitchell

Answer 1

Is the verb "socorrer" (to help, to aid) ever used in normal speech?

Well, not really if you are just asking for help to do something.++

Can you help me to find a street, a book, with this sentence...

Socorrer is more like, aid in a difficult situation.

Look at the definition.

socorrer. (Del lat. succurr?re). 1. tr. Ayudar, favorecer en un peligro o necesidad.

it has a quality of mercy :-) - lagartijaverde, Aug 3, 2011

Answer 2

If you google the word (and ignore all of the definitions) you will see examples of it being used like these:

Socorrer a una persona sorda....

El fondo europeo de ayuda no tiene dinero suficiente para socorrer a España

Después de algún tiempo aprenderás la diferencia entre dar la mano y socorrer a un alma, y aprenderás que amar no significa apoyarse, y que compañía no siempre significa seguridad.

La ONU levantará un puente aéreo para socorrer a Somalia

Patrulla se enfrenta a terroristas para socorrer a militares heridos

Secretaría de la Niñez habilita número para socorrer a niños los días fríos

and countless others, so, yes, the word is still in use.

Answer 3

¡Socorro! is definitely used to mean help me! Also ¡Auxilio! I think it differs from country to country.

Actually, this is the noun form. It just means "Help!" It would be interesting to see if "socorrer" is used with any frequency, whether conjugated or in its infinitive form. - gintar77, Aug 3, 2011

Yeah, good point. I realized the same thing after I answered. - pescador1, Aug 3, 2011