Spanish · Greetings & Essentials
"Help!" in Spanish: ¡auxilio!
¡auxilio!
Note: also: ¡ayuda!
Help! as an urgent shout in Spanish is ¡auxilio! Use it for real danger. For calmer favors, ¡ayuda! or ¿Me puedes ayudar? is softer.
Someone falling
¡Auxilio! Llamen una ambulancia.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce ¡auxilio!
Say it
owk-SEE-lee-oh
/au.ˈksi.ljo/
owk-SEE-lee-oh. Stress on SEE.
"Help!" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ¡auxilio! | help! Emergency shout. | Emergency shout. |
| ¡ayuda! | help! Also urgent; very common. | Also urgent; very common. |
| pedir auxilio | to call for help Tell someone to get help. | Tell someone to get help. |
| necesito ayuda | I need help Non-emergency favor. | Non-emergency favor. |
How to use ¡auxilio! in real life
- 1Someone falling
¡Auxilio! Llamen una ambulancia.
Help! Call an ambulance.
True emergency.
- 2Stuck elevator
Apretamos el botón y gritamos auxilio.
We pressed the button and shouted help.
Still urgent.
- 3Kids play-acting
En el juego el pirata gritó auxilio.
In the game the pirate shouted help.
Playful use keeps the word.
Mistakes English speakers make with ¡auxilio!
Incorrect: Help! (in English in a Spanish-speaking crowd)
Correct: ¡Auxilio!
The emergency shout people recognize fastest is ¡auxilio! (or ¡ayuda!).
Incorrect: ¡Auxilio con la maleta!
Correct: ¿Me ayudas con la maleta? / Necesito ayuda con la maleta.
Auxilio is for emergencies, not everyday bag help.
Good to know
¡Auxilio! and ¡ayuda! both work in danger; auxilio sounds a bit more formal or dramatic. For bags and menus, switch to ayuda—shouting auxilio in a shop sounds like real trouble.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Hearing a shout near the beach
ChatPal
Alguien gritó auxilio cerca del agua.
Someone shouted help near the water.
You
¿Auxilio? Vamos a ver qué pasó.
Help? Let's see what happened.
ChatPal
Lleva el chaleco. Yo llamo al salvavidas.
Bring the life vest. I'll call the lifeguard.
You
De acuerdo. 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 Spanish
Is auxilio only for emergencies?
Basically yes. Use ayuda for ordinary favors.
How do I ask for non-urgent help?
¿Me puedes ayudar? or Necesito ayuda.
How is auxilio pronounced?
owk-SEE-lee-oh—stress SEE.
Auxilio vs ayuda?
Both shout help; auxilio is the headword here. Ayuda is everyday too.
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
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