This is the 2456th most frequent Russian word.
помогал
"Помогал" means "helped" in English.
The word "помогал" here is used in the past tense, denoting repeated or habitual action of assisting friends.
Когда я был студентом, я часто помогал друзьям с учёбой.
When I was a student, I often helped friends with their studies.
"Помогал" is used to describe a specific instance in the past where the subject assisted.
Он помогал бабушке готовить обед вчера.
He helped his grandmother prepare dinner yesterday.
The word indicates repeated action over a period of time in the past related to assisting in repairing the car.