In Spanish, the verbs pedir and preguntar both translate to "to ask" in English, but they are used in different contexts. Pedir is used when you request or ask for something, focusing on the act of asking for a favor, object, or service. Preguntar, on the other hand, is used when you ask a question or seek information.
- Pedir = to ask for / to request
- Preguntar = to ask (a question) / to inquire
- pedir vs preguntar - SpanishDict
Use 'pedir' when requesting something, not when asking for information or a question.
'preguntar' is used when asking questions or inquiring, not for requests.
Pedir: requesting, ordering
Pedir is used when you ask for, request, or order something, such as a favor, an object, or a service. It is not used for asking questions.
- You request something directly with pedir.
- Common contexts: ordering food/drinks, asking for help, requesting information (if it's a request, not a question).
pedir conjugation (present)
| Person | Pedir (to request) |
|---|---|
| Yo | pido |
| Tú | pides |
| Él/Ella/Usted | pide |
| Nosotros/as | pedimos |
| Vosotros/as | pedís |
| Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | piden |
Example:
- Pido un café. (I ask for/request a coffee.)
- ¿Puedes pedir ayuda? (Can you ask for/request help?)
Use 'pedir' when requesting or asking for something, not when asking questions.
Preguntar: asking questions, inquiring
Preguntar is used when you ask a question or inquire about something. It focuses on seeking information rather than requesting a thing.
- Use preguntar when you want to know something.
- You "ask a question," you don't "ask a request," so use preguntar for questions.
preguntar conjugation (present)
| Person | Preguntar (to ask) |
|---|---|
| Yo | pregunto |
| Tú | preguntas |
| Él/Ella/Usted | pregunta |
| Nosotros/as | preguntamos |
| Vosotros/as | preguntáis |
| Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | preguntan |
Example:
- Pregunto por el horario. (I ask about the schedule.)
- ¿Puedes preguntar dónde está? (Can you ask where it is?)
Use 'preguntar' when you are asking for information or posing a question.
Examples
| English | Spanish (Pedir) | Spanish (Preguntar) |
|---|---|---|
| I ask for a coffee. | Pido un café. | — |
| I ask the waiter for a coffee. | Le pido un café al camarero. | — |
| I ask for help. | Pido ayuda. | — |
| I ask a question. | — | Pregunto algo. |
| I ask about the schedule. | — | Pregunto por el horario. |
| Can I ask you for a favor? | ¿Puedo pedirte un favor? | — |
| Can I ask you a question? | — | ¿Puedo preguntarte algo? |
Use 'pedir' when asking for the bill (request), and 'preguntar' when asking if someone is coming (question).
Conclusion
When expressing the idea of "asking" in Spanish, it's essential to choose between pedir and preguntar based on the nature of your request:
- Use pedir when you're requesting or asking for something (a favor, an object, a service).
- Use preguntar when you're asking a question or seeking information.