Pedir vs Preguntar – Ask for vs Ask
Descubre cuándo usar pedir y preguntar en español: diferencias, matices y usos prácticos con ejemplos claros para evitar confusiones comunes y mejorar tu precisión al hablar.
Discover when to use pedir and preguntar in Spanish: differences, nuances, and practical uses with clear examples to avoid common confusions and improve your speaking accuracy.
Spanish distinguishes between pedir and preguntar, so choosing the right verb highlights whether you request something or seek information.
Pedir
Use pedir when you ask someone to give you something, whether an object, help, or an action; the focus is on making a request.
Examples
Expressions
Can you ask for a favor?
Usa pedir cuando le pides a alguien que te dé algo, ya sea un objeto, ayuda o una acción; el enfoque está en hacer una solicitud.
Preguntar
Use preguntar when you seek information by posing a question; it can be followed by a + person if you specify who you ask.
Examples
Expressions
Can you ask for a favor?
Usa preguntar cuando buscas información haciendo una pregunta; puede ir seguido de a + persona si especificas a quién preguntas.
Summary
Remember: use pedir to request things and preguntar to ask questions; this distinction helps you sound precise in Spanish.
Suggested Reading
Practice Makes Perfect: Basic Spanish by Dorothy Richmond
No Nonsense Spanish Workbook by Eric W. Vogt & My Daily Spanish
The Everything Learning Spanish Book by Julie Gutin
Collins Easy Learning: Spanish Conversation by Collins Dictionaries
Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Conversation by Jean Yates
Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish by Margarita Madrigal
Spanish All-In-One For Dummies by Susana Wald & Cecie Kraynak
Easy Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein
Barron’s 501 Spanish Verbs by Christopher Kendris and Theodore Kendris
Complete Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein
Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar by Gilda Nissenberg
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