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"Helping" is a form of "helping", a noun which is often translated as "la porción". "Helpful" is an adjective which is often translated as "servicial". Learn more about the difference between "helping" and "helpful" below.
helping(
hehlp
-
ihng
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (culinary)
a. la porción (F) (Latin America)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
I would like a small helping of the stew, please.Quisiera una porción pequeña del guiso, por favor.
b. la ración (F) (Spain)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Spain
She served me an enormous helping of mashed potatoes.Me sirvió una ración enorme de puré de patata.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
She was always willing to lend a helping hand.Siempre estaba dispuesta a tenderte la mano.
They were there to lend me a helping hand when I didn't have a job.Cuando no tenía trabajo, ellos estuvieron a mi lado y me echaron una mano.
helpful(
hehlp
-
fuhl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
2. (useful)
b. eficaz
Aloe is very helpful if you have a sunburn.El aloe es muy eficaz si tienes quemaduras del sol.
c. práctico
I want to thank you for the helpful suggestions you gave me.Quiero agradecerte las sugerencias prácticas que me diste.
d. positivo
If you don't have any helpful suggestions, please keep your mouth shut.Si no tienes ninguna sugerencia positiva, por favor mantén la boca cerrada.