Spanish The Verbs “pedir” and “preguntar”

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.

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