Two verbs for “ask”
pedirpreguntar
MeaningRequest / order / ask forAsk a question
ObjectThing or action (noun / infinitive)Question (often preguntar por/sobre)
ExamplePido un café.Pregunto la hora.
Pedir vs preguntar
Ask for something vs ask a question
In this guide4 sections
pedir — request & order
Pedir = to ask for , to order, to request. Stem-change e → i in present (yo pido, etc.).
- Pido un café con leche.I order a coffee with milk.
- ¿Qué vas a pedir?What are you going to order?
- Pedimos la cuenta.We ask for the bill.
- ¿Podéis pedir ayuda?Can you all ask for help?
- Te pido un favor.I ask you a favour.
- Pidió perdón.He/She apologised (asked for forgiveness).
preguntar — ask a question
Preguntar = to ask (a question). Often preguntar por (ask about someone): Pregunto por Juan .
Hacer una pregunta is also common: Hago una pregunta .
- Pregunto la hora.I ask the time.
- ¿Puedo preguntarte algo?Can I ask you something?
- Preguntó por ti.He/She asked about you.
- Preguntamos sobre el examen.We ask about the exam.
- No preguntes cosas personales.Don't ask personal things.
- ¿Alguien preguntó por mí?Did someone ask for me?
Practice 1 — 10 questions
I order a coffee →
I ask the time →
We ask for the bill →
Can I ask you something? →
He asked about you →
What are you going to order? →
I ask you a favour →
Did someone ask for me? →
yo form of pedir →
We ask about the exam →