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"Ayudar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to help", and "ayudarles" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to help them". Learn more about the difference between "ayudar" and "ayudarles" below.
ayudar(
ah
-
yoo
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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.
ayudarles(
ah
-
yoo
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dahr
-
lehs
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. to help them
¿Cómo crees tú que podríamos ayudarles? - Quizá podríamos enviarles dinero.How do you think we could help them? - Maybe we could send them some money.
a. to help you
Ustedes saben que yo quería ayudarles pero no pude.You know I wanted to help you but couldn't.
