verb

ayudar

help

Es hacer algo para que otra persona pueda lograr lo que necesita o resolver un problema.

Definition & meaning

Ayudar is a Spanish verb meaning “to help,” “to assist,” or “to aid.” It describes providing support, assistance, or a useful contribution to someone or something.

It can mean:

To help a person:
Ayudar a alguien — to help someone.
To assist with a task or situation:
Ayudar con el trabajo — to help with the work.
To contribute to an outcome:
El ejercicio ayuda a mejorar la salud — Exercise helps improve health.

It may refer to practical assistance, emotional support, or something that makes a result more likely.

Grammar & Word origin

Ayudar is a regular -ar verb.

Common constructions include:

ayudar a alguien — to help someone
ayudar a alguien a hacer algo — to help someone do something
ayudar con algo — to help with something
ayudar en algo — to help in or with something

Examples of conjugation:

yo ayudo — I help
tú ayudas — you help
él/ella ayuda — he/she helps
ayudé — I helped
ayudaré — I will help

The verb comes from Latin adiutāre, meaning “to assist” or “to give aid,” related to ayuda , meaning “help” or “assistance.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

asistir — to assist; somewhat more formal and often used in official, professional, or technical contexts.
auxiliar — to aid or assist; formal and commonly associated with providing direct support.
apoyar — to support; emphasizes backing someone emotionally, materially, or ideologically rather than simply helping with a task.
colaborar — to collaborate or cooperate; implies working together toward a shared objective.
socorrer — to come to someone’s aid, especially in an emergency; stronger and more urgent than ayudar.

Antonyms

perjudicar — to harm or disadvantage someone; the direct opposite when an action makes a situation worse.
obstaculizar — to obstruct or hinder progress.
impedir — to prevent or stop something from happening.
abandonar — to abandon or leave someone without support; it is an opposite in situations where assistance is expected.