The verb in Spanish “Pedir” means “to ask for,” it is used when the person is asking for something, and it can be a favor, money, free time or another. The verb “Pedir,” always demands action, while the verb “Preguntar,” demands only information. “Pedir,” can also be used to ask for information during a normal conversation in a store or a restaurant.
- Quiero pedir una pizza y una soda. = I want to ask for pizza and a soda.
- Le quiero pedir que me traiga un vaso de agua. = I want to ask you to bring me a glass of water.
The Spanish verb “Preguntar” means “to ask,” as well, however it implies to ask for information, for example:
- Pregunta cuando es la fiesta = Ask when is the party.
Pedir y Preguntar mean the same but are not interchangeable. Pedir is used in general to ask or solicit a service, and/or ask a favor and always expects a response with an action.
- Pide más tiempo = Ask for more time
- Pedimos dinero = We ask for more money.
In English we use “to ask,” and we use this word when we ask for information and also when we make a request. In Spanish we use the word Pedir when we make a request for something.
Examples
Yo pido una limonada en el restaurante = I ask for a lemonade at the restaurant.
Ella pide que la lleven al hospital = She asks to be taken to the hospital.
Ellos preguntan por la dirección de la casa. = They ask for the address to the house.
Preguntamos por la señora Beatriz. = We ask for Mrs. Beatriz.
Pide que te ayuden a llevar tus libros. = Ask for help to carry your books.
Nosotros pedimos que nos suban el sueldo. = We ask to be given a raise.
I want to ask you “how old are you?” = Quiero preguntarte "¿cuántos años tienes?"
Ask him: “Who is the owner of the business?” = Pregúntale quién es el dueño del negocio.
Conjugating Appropriately: Present tense verb “Pedir,”
Yo Pido - I ask
Tu Pides - You ask
El/Ella pide - He/She asks
Nosotros pedimos- We ask
Vosotros pedís - You all ask
Ellos/Ellas piden - They ask
Conjugating the verb “Preguntar,” to ask, in present tense.
Yo pregunto - I ask
Tú preguntas- You ask
El pregunta - He asks
Ellos/Ellas preguntan- They ask
Vosotros preguntáis- You all ask
Nosotros preguntamos- We ask
