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"Ayudar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to help", and "atender" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to look after". Learn more about the difference between "ayudar" and "atender" below.
ayudar(
ah
-
yoo
-
dahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to assist)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
2. (to assist)
a. to help
Si quieres ayudar, puedes barrer las hojas del jardín.If you want to help, you can sweep the leaves in the garden.
ayudarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to help oneself
Si no te ayudas tú mismo, no esperes que otro lo haga.If you don't help yourself, don't expect anyone else to.
a. to use
Ayúdate del pasamanos para bajar las escaleras al andén.Use the handrail to go down the stairs to the platform.
b. to make use of
Se ayudaron de todos los servicios a su disposición.They made use of all the services at their disposal.
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to help each other
Los dos hermanos están muy unidos y se ayudan mucho.The two brothers are very close and they help each other a lot.
atender(
ah
-
tehn
-
dehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to deal with
Tengo que atender todos los problemas que surgen en las reuniones.I have to deal with all the problems that arise in meetings.
c. to take care of
Las enfermeras atenderán bien al paciente mientras esté ingresado.The nurses will take good care of the patient while he's in the hospital.
a. to attend to
El jefe atenderá al cliente personalmente.The boss will attend to the customer personally.
c. to serve
En calidad de vendedor, ¿cómo puedo atender mejor a un cliente?As a salesperson, how can I better serve a customer?
3. (to fulfill)
a. to respond to
El objetivo del personal de Atención al cliente es atender las peticiones de los clientes.The purpose of Customer Service staff is to respond to the requests of customers.
b. to meet
El sistema de comunicaciones se mejoró para atender las demandas de los ciudadanos y brindar mejor servicio.The communications system was improved to meet the demands of the citizens and to provide better service.
a. to answer
La tienda ya está cerrada; nadie va a atender tus llamadas.The store is already closed; nobody is going to answer your calls.
5. (commerce)
a. to run
Los dueños de este café lo atienden personalmente.The owners of this café run it themselves.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to answer to
Aunque en el collar de mi perro dice "Socks", solo atiende por el nombre de Luke.Although the name on my dog's collar is "Socks," he only answers to the name of Luke.
a. to meet
Como madre, tengo responsabilidades que atender.As a mother, I have responsibilities to meet.
b. to take care of
Tengo que atender a cada detalle si quiero que mi boda sea perfecta.I have to take care of every detail if I want my wedding to be perfect.
a. to take into account
Atendiendo a sus necesidades, puedo ofrecerle este servicio.Taking into account your demands, I can offer you this service.
b. to bear in mind
Hemos planeado este viaje atendiendo a sus limitaciones.We have planned this trip bearing in mind his limitations.
a. to be available
El psicólogo solo atiende de lunes a jueves.The psychologist is only available Monday to Thursday.
b. to serve
Había cinco camareros atendiendo en el restaurante.There were five waiters serving in the restaurant.
atenderse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
11. (to provide a service) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to see
El doctor con el que se atienden los pacientes es mi vecino.The doctor who sees the patients is my neighbor.
