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"Complemento directo" is a noun which is often translated as "direct object", and "ayudar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to help". Learn more about the difference between "complemento directo" and "ayudar" below.
el complemento directo(
kohm
-
pleh
-
mehn
-
toh
 
dee
-
rehk
-
toh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. direct object
Los verbos transitivos llevan complemento directo.Transitive verbs take a direct object.
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ayudar(
ah
-
yoo
-
dahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to help
¿Puedes ayudarme a mover este sofá?Can you help me move this sofa?
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
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.).
pronominal verb
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.).
reciprocal verb
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.
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