Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ayuda | /aˈʝuda/ | feminine |
| auxilio | /auɡˈsiljo/ | masculine |
The word 'aid' can refer to help, assistance or relief. The term asistencia is a formal way to describe assistance and support, while socorro carries a sense of urgency and is often associated with emergency aid or distress calls. For medical contexts, the specific phrase for 'first aid' is primeros auxilios.
Which one should you use?
ayuda is the standard word for general assistance or help in everyday contexts. In contrast, auxilio is typically used in the context of an emergency or a cry for help.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun ayuda is feminine and is used with feminine articles like la. The noun auxilio is masculine and is used with masculine articles like el.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈʝuda/
When do people say it?
Shouting ¡Auxilio! is the standard way to call for help in a life-threatening emergency.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, the phrase dar una mano is used as a common idiom for providing ayuda, mirroring the English phrase 'lend a hand'.
- The word auxilio is derived from the Latin auxilium, which originally shared a root meaning 'to increase' or 'to grow'.
- While auxilio is the standard cry for help in many Spanish-speaking countries, some regions use the word socorro instead to signal a life-threatening emergency.
Examples in context
- Acudieron en su ayuda.They rushed to his aid.This sentence shows how people might rush to provide ayuda.Tatoeba #2259616 by hayastan, translation #2259615 by _undertoad
- Ha venido en mi ayuda.She came to my aid.This sentence illustrates someone coming to provide ayuda.Tatoeba #2378395 by Shishir, translation #308367 by CK
- Yo necesito primeros auxilios.I need first aid.This sentence demonstrates the use of the phrase for 'first aid' using auxilio.Tatoeba #1143708 by marcelostockle, translation #25679 by CM
- Necesito ayuda con mi proyectoI need aid with my project
- La organización brinda ayuda a las personas necesitadasThe organization provides aid to those in need
- Solicite asistencia en el mostrador de informaciónRequest assistance at the information desk
- ¡Socorro! ¡Necesito ayuda médica!Help! I need medical aid!
- ¿Me haces una ayudita con este trabajo?Can you give me a little aid with this task?
- Dame una mano con esta mudanza, por favorGive me a hand with this move, please
- Cuento con tu apoyo para el evento de mañanaI count on your support for tomorrow's event
- ¡Auxilio! ¡Necesito ayuda!Help! I need aid!
- El socorrista salvó a la persona del ahogamientoThe lifeguard rescued the person from drowning
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are working on a project at a cafe.
- Sofía¿Me puedes brindar algo de ayuda con esto?Can you give me some help with this?
- DanielClaro, Sofía, ¿en qué te ayudo?Sure, Sofia, what can I help you with?
- SofíaTu ayuda es muy importante para terminar hoy.Your help is very important to finish today.
- DanielNo te preocupes, yo te doy toda la ayuda necesaria.Don't worry, I will give you all the help necessary.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “aid” translations and entries ayuda, auxilio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries auxilio, ayuda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
