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"Usted" is a pronoun which is often translated as "you", and "ayudar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to help". Learn more about the difference between "usted" and "ayudar" below.
usted(
oos
-
tehd
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
1. (formal) (second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
ustedes
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
2. (second person plural) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
3. (formal) (second person plural) (Spain)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. you
Ustedes pueden dejar sus chaquetas en el vestuario y seguirme al comedor.You may leave your jackets in the coatroom and follow me to the dining room.
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.