Hola, Bienvenidos a The Spanish Conversation podcast! Today we will try a more specific topic, of lending a helping hand. I have 8 questions you can ask and or answer, in order to offer or ask for help. If it’s safe to do so, as in you’re not driving, I would recommend taking some notes or trying to think of a potential response as you hear each prompt.

Just like last time, and for the rest of the season, the questions will be translated first, with some ideas of how to answer. Then, they will be given to you in random order.

After each pregunta or question, you will have a varied amount of dead air. This is time for you to formulate and speak a short response back to me. For longer answers or time to think, you can pause during that time for as long as you like. 

After the pause, I will offer a suggestion or a few for answers you could provide.

Before we begin, here are a couple of words or phrases that might help you to formulate both questions and responses:

1.	ayudar = to help
2.	algo = something
3.	hacer = to do, to make
4.	estar = to be, location emotion or changing conditions
5.	poder = to be able to
6.	dar = to give
7.	saber = to know information
8.	hay = there is, there are

Okay, let’s get started.

Imagine you are abroad and need something, or you know someone is having a tough time or trouble with a project, and you want to help. We will assume use of the tú form, the informal you, for now.

here are the questions I am going to ask you today and their translations:

1.	¿Cómo puedo ayudarte? – How can I help you?

This is asked a lot in stores and other professional settings. You could reply with nothing thanks as nada, gracias, or try using querer or necesitar to express a want or a need.

2.	¿Hay algo que necesitas? – Is there anything you need?

Similar to the above, but more specific to a thing or an action that is needed. Responding with I need as yo necesito could start off a request, followed by an infinitive verb (comprar) or a noun (un carro).

3.	¿Puedo hacer … para ti? – Can I do … for you?

This is a compound question with two verbs back to back, poder and hacer. To reply in kind, you would use puedes (infinitive) para mi or you can _____ for me, inserting a verb like limpiar for to clean, recoger for pick up, etc.

4.	¿Sabes dónde está …? – Do you know where … is?

estar is used for location, so be sure to mirror a form of estar in the present (estoy, estás, está, estamos, están) for a reply.

5.	¿Me puedes dar una mano? – Can you give me a hand?

The answer to this question is somewhat binary, as in yes or no, but could be good to ask this if you don’t know how to articulate the type of help you need right away. Binary questions are good! A response of yes or no makes it easier to understand.

6.	¿Necesitas ayuda con …? – Do you need help with…?

Here, usually a specific task is in reference or an item, such as with repairing the hole in the wall or with the kids. You can respond with yes or no and then I need help (sí / no necesito ayuda).

7.	¿Sabes cómo …? – Do you know how to …?

remember that saber is irregular in the present tense, so you will want to say sí sé cómo or no sé cómo and follow with an infinitive verb like hacer, to make or do. 

8.	¿Puedo preguntarte algo? – Can I ask you something?

This is the invitation to then ask another question, perhaps something sensitive or complicated while you are in the middle of something. If now is not the time, you could propose another time, something like “Dame cinco minutos” means give me five minutes as a tú command.

Okay, listo, ready? Here come the questions in random order. Make sure you pause during the break if you don’t have enough time to reply.

¿Puedo preguntarte algo? 
PAUSE

Mi respuesta es / My answer is: Por supuesto, estoy disponible toda la mañana, llámame si quieres (Note the command form of llamar)

¿Sabes cómo arreglar carros? 
PAUSE

Mi respuesta es: Desafortunadamente no, no sé cómo arreglar carros, pero mi primo Julián sí sabe, ¿quieres sus datos de contacto? (notice my offer to refer the person to a family member).

¿Puedo hacer la cena para ti? 
PAUSE

Mi respuesta es: Sí, ¡muchas gracias! Acaba de romper mi horno ayer así que es difícil cocinar. ¡Eres muy amable! (can you tell why I can’t cook for myself?)

¿Me puedes dar una mano? 
PAUSE

Mi respuesta es: Lo siento, no puedo. Tengo que irme para el trabajo en cinco minutos y no tengo mi almuerzo preparado todavía (lo siento, Why can’t I help in this scenario?)

¿Necesitas ayuda con la bebé?
PAUSE

Mi respuesta es: No, ahorita no, pero en veinte minutos necesito llamar a mi mamá, ¿puedes sostener la bebé durante la llamada? (Here is a no, not right now, but type of response)

¿Cómo puedo ayudarte? 
PAUSE

Mi respuesta es: Bueno, estoy aquí porque necesito programar una cita con el doctor para discutir mi dolor de estómago. ¿Es posible conseguir una cita el jueves? (Where do you think I am, and what do I need?)

¿Hay algo que necesitas? 
PAUSE

Mi respuesta es: Pues, no, tengo todo lo que necesito en este momento. Si me quieres dar un regalo, un masaje es lo que quiero lo más. (Note the use of regalo or gift, and what I say i would like. lo más is the most)

¿Sabes dónde está ese papel del gobierno? 
PAUSE

Mi respuesta es: uf no, posiblemente en el escritorio, debajo del correo postal de ayer? No lo he visto en unos días. (The use of he visto is a participle, meaning have seen) 

Thanks for giving this episode a listen, I am excited for you to see the progress in your confidence speaking as we go along. Catch ya next time, ¡chau!

For more products from Gringa Consulting, check out www.gringaconsulting.com/products/