Preguntar: to ask
Pronunciation: preh-goon-TAHR (stress the capital letters)
Preguntar means “to ask” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to ask (a question)
- How to say it: preh-goon-TAHR
- Present: yo pregunto, tú preguntas
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “preguntar” means and how to use it
Preguntar means “to ask a question.” It is different from pedir, which means to ask for something or to request.
How to conjugate “preguntar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | pregunto | I |
| tú | preguntas | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | pregunta | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | preguntamos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | preguntan | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo pregunté, él preguntó | I / he or she |
| Past participle | preguntado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Pregunto la hora.I ask the time.
- ¿Puedo preguntarte algo?Can I ask you something?
- Los alumnos preguntan mucho.The students ask a lot.
Usage tip
Preguntar is for questions, and pedir is for requests: pregunto el precio (I ask the price), pido un café (I ask for a coffee).
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to ask” in Spanish?
“to ask” in Spanish is “preguntar.” It is pronounced preh-goon-TAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “preguntar”?
Say preh-goon-TAHR. 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 “preguntar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “pregunté” and “él” is “preguntó.” The past participle is “preguntado.”
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