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
