How to Say “Very Helpful” in Spanish

Learning how to express that something is “very helpful” in Spanish can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in various situations. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to convey the meaning of “very helpful” in Spanish, along with some tips, examples, and regional variations.

Formal Ways to Say “Very Helpful”

When speaking formally, it is crucial to use the appropriate language and expressions. Here are some formal ways to convey that something is “very helpful” in Spanish:

1. Muy útil: This is the most straightforward and widely used expression for “very helpful” in Spanish. It simply means “very useful.” For instance, you can say “Este libro es muy útil” (This book is very helpful).
2. Sumamente útil: This phrase emphasizes the high level of helpfulness, often translating to “extremely useful” in English. For example, “La información que proporcionaste fue sumamente útil” (The information you provided was extremely helpful).
3. De gran ayuda: This expression conveys the idea of being of great help. It can be used to refer to a person or an object. For instance, “La guía turística fue de gran ayuda” (The tour guide was of great help).
4. Bastante útil: This phrase means “quite useful” and can be used to express a reasonable level of helpfulness. For example, “El tutorial de programación es bastante útil” (The programming tutorial is quite helpful).
5. Altamente provechoso: This expression emphasizes the high level of benefit derived from something. It can be used to describe a situation, experience, or resource. For instance, “El seminario fue altamente provechoso” (The seminar was highly beneficial).

Informal Ways to Say “Very Helpful”

When speaking informally or with friends, you may prefer to use more colloquial expressions to convey that something is “very helpful.” Here are some informal ways to express this in Spanish:

1. Muy chingón/a: This phrase, which can be used in some Latin American countries, is slang for “very helpful” or “cool.” It is more commonly used among younger individuals. For example, “El nuevo manual está muy chingón” (The new manual is really helpful).
2. Recontrahelpful: This is an informal and colloquial way to express “very helpful.” Similar to the English slang “super helpful.” For instance, “Tu consejo fue recontrahelpful” (Your advice was super helpful).
3. De pelos: This expression, mostly used in Mexican Spanish, literally means “of hairs.” However, in this context, it conveys the idea of something being wonderful or great. For example, “El servicio al cliente fue de pelos” (The customer service was great).
4. De la hostia: This is a more informal expression from Spain that translates to “of the host” in English. It can be used to express that something is excellent or very helpful. For instance, “La aplicación es de la hostia” (The app is excellent).
5. Un tremendo apoyo: This phrase, commonly used in several Spanish-speaking countries, means “a tremendous support.” It broadly conveys a high level of helpfulness. For example, “Tu apoyo fue un tremendo apoyo” (Your support was tremendously helpful).

Regional Variations

Spanish is spoken in various regions around the world, and different countries may have their own regional variations. While the expressions mentioned above are widely understood, it’s important to note that interpretations may vary slightly across regions. Here are a couple of regional variations:

Muy bacán: This slang expression, commonly used in Chile, means “very helpful” or “cool.” For example, “La guía turística es muy bacán” (The tour guide is really helpful).

De madre: This is a colloquial phrase used in parts of Mexico and some Central American countries. It literally translates to “of mother” but is used to express that something is terrific or very helpful. For instance, “La conferencia estuvo de madre” (The conference was terrific).

Remember that while these regional variations add some color and local flavor to the language, they may not be universally understood. Stick to the more widely recognized expressions unless you’re confident about the region-specific slang.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have a range of formal and informal expressions to convey “very helpful” in Spanish, you can confidently use them in various contexts. Remember to choose the appropriate expression based on the level of formality and the region in which you are speaking. Practice these phrases in conversations or writing to strengthen your fluency in Spanish. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)