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"Hello" is a form of "hello", an interjection which is often translated as "hola". "Can I help you?" is a phrase which is often translated as "¿Te puedo ayudar?". Learn more about the difference between "hello" and "Can I help you?" below.
hello(
heh
-
lo
)An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
1. (salutation)
d. aló (Ecuador) (Panama) (Southern Cone)
Regionalism used in Ecuador
Regionalism used in Panama
Hello. Who is this?Aló. ¿Quién es?
Can I help you?(
kahn
ay
hehlp
yu
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. ¿Te puedo ayudar? (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Can I help you? That looks really heavy.¿Te puedo ayudar? Eso se ve muy pesado.
b. ¿Le puedo ayudar? (formal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Can I help you? - Yes, I'm looking for Mr. Smith.¿Le puedo ayudar? - Sí, estoy buscando al Sr. Smith.
a. ¿Les puedo ayudar? (plural)
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Can I help you? You seem a bit lost.¿Les puedo ayudar? Parecen algo perdidos.
