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Lesson 33 of 238

New here? This is lesson 33 of a free 238-lesson Spanish course.

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Can you help me in Spanish

Justin is on the wrong corner with a map that isn't helping. Luckily, Amanda passes by on her way to work.

You'll learn to ask for help, explain that you can't find something, and ask who can help you.

These lines are useful when you're lost or stuck. Justin's first challenge is getting his map to stay open.

By the end of this lesson

Ask for help, say you can't find something, and ask who can help you.

  • Ayuda, por favorHelp, please
  • ¿Me puedes ayudar?Can you help me?
  • Necesito ayudaI need help
  • No encuentro ___I can't find ___
  • ¿Quién me puede ayudar?Who can help me?
  • No puedo con estoI can't deal with this

Scene — The wrong corner

It's morning on a street corner in El Laurel. Justin is looking for Café Laurel, and Amanda is walking to work.

His paper map keeps folding shut, hiding the very street he needs.

Justin stands puzzled at an El Laurel street corner with a collapsing paper map while Amanda walks past on her way to work.

Learn — Ask for help

There are six lines to learn. Tap ▶ and say each one out loud.

Keep them as short, useful pieces; you don't need a long explanation to ask for help.

  1. Justin raises one hand to flag Amanda for help while his paper map folds shut in his other hand.

    Ayuda, por favor

    Help, please

    When to use it: Use this short call when you need someone to help.

  2. Justin faces Amanda and politely asks for help by offering her the troublesome map.

    ¿Me puedes ayudar?

    Can you help me?

    When to use it: Ask the person you're speaking to for help.

    This is a friendly way to ask someone you address as tú.

  3. Justin gestures toward himself with an earnest expression while showing Amanda that he needs help with the map.

    Necesito ayuda

    I need help

    When to use it: Tell someone that you need help with a problem.

  4. Justin searches the surrounding streets while pointing out a coffee-cup symbol on his map to Amanda.

    No encuentro ___

    I can't find ___

    When to use it: Say what you're looking for but can't find.

    Fill the blank with the missing thing or place, like Café Laurel.

  5. Justin looks around the corner with an open-handed questioning gesture as Amanda stands beside him.

    ¿Quién me puede ayudar?

    Who can help me?

    When to use it: Ask which person can help you.

    Quién asks who; you're asking for a person.

  6. Justin struggles with the map folding shut between his hands while Amanda watches sympathetically.

    No puedo con esto

    I can't deal with this

    When to use it: Say this when a task or situation feels too difficult.

    Learn this as one piece for something you can't manage.

Story — A map that won't cooperate

Watch how Justin gets Amanda's attention and explains his problem. The highlighted words are your new lines.

Turn on Show English if the folded map leaves you confused too.

  1. JustinDisculpa. Ayuda, por favor.Excuse me. Help, please.
  2. Amanda¿Qué pasa?What's wrong?
  3. JustinNecesito ayuda. No encuentro Café Laurel.I need help. I can't find Café Laurel.
  4. Amanda points at the map, which has folded itself into a tiny square.
  5. Amanda¿Este?This one?
  6. JustinNo puedo con esto.I can't deal with this.
  7. Amanda opens the map and holds it where Justin can see it.
  8. Amanda¿Así?Like this?
  9. Justin¿Me puedes ayudar?Can you help me?
  10. Amanda points down the street toward Café Laurel.
  11. AmandaSí. Está allá.Yes. It's over there.
  12. Amanda checks her phone. She needs to continue to work.
  13. AmandaMe tengo que ir.I've got to go.
  14. Justin¿Quién me puede ayudar?Who can help me?
  15. AmandaMichael.Michael.
  16. JustinGracias por tu ayuda.Thanks for your help.

Practice — Find the words you need

Try ten exercises that mix listening, matching, and choosing what to say.

Keep trying or use the skip button. Each answer includes a short explanation.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    Spanish

    Ayuda, por favorDrop the English here
    Necesito ayudaDrop the English here
    Gracias por tu ayuda.Drop the English here

    English

    Drag an English line onto its Spanish, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    You're looking for Café Laurel without success. Choose the line that says you can't find it.

  4. What does it mean?

    No puedo con esto

  5. What do you say?

    Amanda must leave. Ask her which person can help you next.

  6. Fill the gap

    I need help

    Necesito ____

  7. What does it mean?

    Disculpa

  8. True or false?

    This question asks who can help you.

  9. What do you say?

    Amanda has helped you open the map. Thank her specifically for her help.

  10. Build the line

    I can't deal with this

    Tap the words in order.

Say it — Stop Amanda for help

You play Justin, and Amanda speaks first. Tap the microphone to answer her, or tap ▶ for the model line.

Your recording stays on your device.

  1. Amanda¿Qué pasa, Justin?What's wrong, Justin?
  2. Justin (you)Tell her you need help.

    Necesito ayuda

    I need help

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

SpanishEnglish
Ayuda, por favorHelp, please
¿Me puedes ayudar?Can you help me?
Necesito ayudaI need help
No encuentro ___I can't find ___
¿Quién me puede ayudar?Who can help me?
No puedo con estoI can't deal with this
Next: lesson 34Can you come with me

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Keep these help phrases handy with Yak Cards, even when your map won't cooperate.

Try naming a different place you can't find, then ask someone for help.

Open Yak Cards