Pedir: to ask for
Pronunciation: peh-DEER (stress the capital letters)
Pedir means “to ask for” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to ask for, to order, to request
- How to say it: peh-DEER
- Present: yo pido, tú pides
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “pedir” means and how to use it
Pedir means “to ask for” something, “to order” food, or “to request.” You use it when you want to receive something.
How to conjugate “pedir”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | pido | I |
| tú | pides | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | pide | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | pedimos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | piden | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo pedí, él pidió | I / he or she |
| Past participle | pedido | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Pido un café con leche.I order a coffee with milk.
- ¿Puedo pedir ayuda?May I ask for help?
- Mis hijos piden dulces.My children ask for sweets.
Usage tip
Do not use preguntar when you request something. Say “pedir una pizza,” not “preguntar una pizza.” Pedir changes its stem: pido, pides, pide.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to ask for” in Spanish?
“to ask for” in Spanish is “pedir.” It is pronounced peh-DEER, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “pedir”?
Say peh-DEER. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “pedir”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “pedí” and “él” is “pidió.” The past participle is “pedido.”
Practice “pedir” for free
Reading helps, but practice makes it stick. Try short exercises with instant feedback.