socorro
/soˈkoro/
The Spanish word socorro is a cry for help used when someone is in danger and needs immediate assistance.
socorro is used specifically as a desperate cry for rescue during life-threatening situations.
Which one should you use?
While ayuda is the general word for 'help' (e.g., 'I need help'), socorro is more specifically a desperate cry for rescue in life-threatening situations.
How do you pronounce it?
/soˈkoro/
Did you know?
- The word is derived from the Latin verb 'succurrere', which literally means 'to run to' someone in need.
- Because socorro is so intensely urgent, using it in a non-life-threatening situation can be perceived as an extreme exaggeration or a joke in a way that ayuda is not.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the intensity of the word socorro is often accompanied by specific physical gestures, such as waving arms or a distinctive hand-to-mouth posture to amplify the sound.
Examples in context
- ¡Necesito ayuda!I need help!
- ¡Auxilio, por favor!Help, please!
- ¡Ayúdame, por favor!Help me, please!
- ¡Sálvame, por favor!Save me, please!
- ¡Socorro, que me roban!Help, I'm being robbed!
- ¡Socorro, ayúdenme!Help, help me!
- ¡Socorro! ¡Me caigo!Help! I'm falling!
- ¡Socorro, necesito ayuda!Help, I need help!
Example conversation
Elena is trapped in an elevator and Mateo hears her.
- Elena¡Socorro! ¡Estoy atrapada en el ascensor!Help! I am trapped in the elevator!
- Mateo¡Elena, mantén la calma! Ya llamo al técnico.Elena, stay calm! I am calling the technician now.
- Elena¡Date prisa, por favor, necesito socorro!Hurry up, please, I need help!
- MateoYa vienen a rescatarte, Mateo está aquí contigo.They are coming to rescue you, Mateo is here with you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry socorro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries socorro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
