ayudarme
/aʝudaɾme/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "help myself" is ayudarme.
ayudarme is used when an individual describes the act of providing assistance to oneself or taking action to improve their own situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The form is composed of the infinitive verb ayudar (to help) and the enclitic pronoun me (me).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the reflexive "myself" is expressed by attaching the object pronoun me to the end of the infinitive verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/aʝudaɾme/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, if you use the reflexive ayudarme to mean 'to help myself' in the sense of 'to serve myself food', you might sound like you are performing a medical or life-saving procedure on your own body.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, telling a guest to 'help themselves' to food using a phrase like sírvase is considered a polite invitation, but actually doing so without being prompted can be seen as overly forward in formal settings.
- The verb ayudar shares a deep root with the English word 'aid', but unlike the English 'help myself' which can mean taking something without permission, ayudarme never implies taking or stealing.
Examples in context
- Debemos aprender a ayudarnos a nosotros mismos antes de buscar ayuda externa.We must learn to help ourselves before seeking external help.
- Tengo que ayudarme a mí mismo.I have to help myself.
- Voy a ayudarme a organizar mi tiempo mejor.I am going to help myself organize my time better.
Example conversation
Daniel tells María about his personal growth goals.
- DanielHe decidido que debo ayudarme más.I have decided that I must help myself more.
- MaríaEso suena muy bien, Daniel.That sounds very good, Daniel.
- DanielSí, es hora de tomar acción.Yes, it is time to take action.
- MaríaCuentas con mi apoyo, amigo.You have my support, friend.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
