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Spanish Phrase

El dependiente te puede ayudar.

/el de.penˈdjen.te te ˈpwe.ðe aʝuˈðar/
Meaning"The shop assistant can help you."
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Meaning

Literally, "The shop assistant can help you." It is a polite way to tell someone that the store employee is able and willing to give assistance.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you want to reassure a customer that the store staff will assist them, or when you are explaining to a friend that a shop employee is able to help with a problem.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Eldependientetepuedeayudar

1

Definite article + noun

"El" is the masculine singular definite article that matches the noun "dependiente".

2

Indirect object pronoun (te)

"te" is the second‑person singular indirect object pronoun meaning "to you"; it must appear before a conjugated verb.

3

Modal verb + infinitive

"puede" is the 3rd‑person singular present of "poder" (can). It is followed by an infinitive ("ayudar") to express ability.

4

Verb infinitive (ayudar)

"ayudar" means "to help"; when used after a modal verb it stays in the infinitive form.

🗨In Conversation

A

Disculpe, ¿puedo ayudarle?

Excuse me, may I help you?

Sí, el dependiente me puede ayudar con la talla.

Yes, the shop assistant can help me with the size.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • El dependiente te puedes ayudar.

    "puedes" is 2nd‑person singular; the subject is "el dependiente" (3rd‑person), so the correct form is "puede".

  • El dependiente puede ayudar a ti.

    After "poder" you do not use the preposition "a"; the indirect object pronoun "te" already conveys "to you".

  • El dependiente te puede ayudarme.

    Do not combine the indirect pronoun "te" with another pronoun "me"; choose the correct one for the listener.

↔Alternatives

  • El dependiente puede ayudarte.

    The shop assistant can help you.

  • El empleado te puede ayudar.

    The employee can help you.

  • El vendedor te ayuda.

    The salesman helps you.

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Cultural Tip

In most Spanish‑speaking countries "dependiente" refers to a shop assistant, but in some regions people say "vendedor" or "empleado". When speaking to a stranger, it is common to use the formal "¿En qué puedo ayudarle?"; the phrase above is slightly less formal because it uses the familiar "te".