vs
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"Se" is a form of "se", a pronoun which is often translated as "themselves". "Ayudar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to help". Learn more about the difference between "se" and "ayudar" below.
se(
seh
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
1. (reflexive)
2. (reciprocal)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Se dice que ganó su fortuna jugando al póquer.People say he won his fortune playing poker.
Se habla español.Spanish is spoken here.
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.
