Portuguese Phrase
Me ajuda a arrumar?
Meaning
A casual way to ask someone for help with tidying, fixing, or organizing something. The speaker is asking the listener to lend a hand with the task at hand.
When to use
Use this phrase with friends, family members, roommates, or coworkers in informal settings when you need assistance with cleaning a room, fixing a small problem, or arranging items.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Meajudaaarrumar?
Object pronoun (me)
"Me" is the unstressed direct object pronoun meaning "me"; it comes before the verb in Brazilian Portuguese.
Present indicative (ajuda)
"Ajuda" is the third‑person singular present indicative of the verb "ajudar" (to help). In informal speech the subject "você" is omitted.
Preposition + infinitive (a + arrumar)
When "ajudar" is followed by another action, the construction is "ajudar + a + infinitive" (help to do something).
Infinitive meaning
"Arrumar" can mean "to tidy up", "to fix", or "to arrange" depending on context.
Question intonation
The whole sentence is a polite request; the rising intonation of the question softens the ask.
🗨In Conversation
Me ajuda a arrumar?
Can you help me tidy up?
Claro, vamos lá!
Sure, let's go!
✕Common Mistakes
Me ajuda para arrumar?
The preposition "para" is unnecessary; the correct construction is "ajudar a + infinitive".
Ajuda‑me a arrumar?
In Brazilian Portuguese the pronoun normally precedes the verb; "Me ajuda" is preferred over "Ajuda‑me".
Me ajuda a arruma?
The verb must stay in the infinitive after "a"; using the conjugated form changes the meaning.
↔Alternatives
Você pode me ajudar a arrumar?
Could you help me tidy up?
Pode me dar uma mão para arrumar?
Can you give me a hand to tidy up?
Me dá uma mão para arrumar?
Give me a hand to tidy up?
Pode me ajudar a organizar?
Can you help me organize?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, "dar uma mão" (literally "give a hand") is a very common colloquial way to ask for help, often sounding friendlier than the direct "ajuda". Also, "arrumar" can refer to cleaning a room, fixing a broken object, or simply putting things in order, so the exact meaning is inferred from the situation.