Portuguese · Greetings & Essentials
"Help!" in Portuguese: socorro!
socorro!
Help! as an urgent shout in Portuguese is socorro! Use it for emergencies. For calmer requests, Brazilians usually say ajuda or Você pode me ajudar?
Someone falling on the sidewalk
Socorro! Alguém chama uma ambulância!Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce socorro!
Say it
soh-KOH-hoo
/so.ˈko.ʁu/
soh-KOH-hoo
"Help!" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| socorro! | help! Emergency shout. | Emergency shout. |
| pede socorro | call for help Tell someone to get help. | Tell someone to get help. |
| socorro, por favor | help, please Urgent but still polite. | Urgent but still polite. |
| ajuda | help (calmer noun/request) Everyday non-emergency help. | Everyday non-emergency help. |
How to use socorro! in real life
- 1Someone falling on the sidewalk
Socorro! Alguém chama uma ambulância!
Help! Someone call an ambulance!
True emergency shout.
- 2Stuck elevator buzz
Apertamos o botão e gritamos socorro juntos.
We pressed the button and shouted help together.
Still emergency, less street drama.
- 3Kids play-acting
No jogo, o pirata gritou socorro no navio.
In the game, the pirate shouted help on the ship.
Playful use still keeps the word.
Mistakes English speakers make with socorro!
Incorrect: Help! (said in English in a Brazilian crowd)
Correct: Socorro!
In Brazil the emergency shout people recognize fastest is socorro!
Incorrect: Socorro eu a mala.
Correct: Me ajuda com a mala. / Preciso de ajuda com a mala.
Socorro! is for emergencies, not everyday carrying help.
Good to know
Socorro! is the word you want if something is truly wrong. For bags, menus, and directions, switch to ajuda—shouting socorro in a shop sounds like danger, not a favor.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Hearing a shout near the beach
ChatPal
Alguém gritou socorro perto da água.
Someone shouted help near the water.
You
Socorro? Vamos ver o que foi.
Help? Let's see what happened.
ChatPal
Leva o colete. Eu chamo o salva-vidas.
Bring the life vest. I'll call the lifeguard.
You
Certo. Rápido.
Okay. Quick.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Help!" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Help!" in Portuguese
Is socorro only for emergencies?
Basically yes. Use ajuda for ordinary favors.
How do I ask for non-urgent help?
Você pode me ajudar? or Preciso de ajuda.
How is socorro pronounced?
soh-KOH-hoo—the double r is a throaty h in many Brazilian accents.
Can I say Aiuto?
That’s Italian. In Portuguese say Socorro!
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
