Pedir vs. Preguntar
English uses the single verb “ask” for two different actions. Spanish splits them: pedir is to request something, and preguntar is to ask for information. Once you link each verb to its meaning, the choice is easy.
Quick answer
- Pedir = to ask for, to request, to order: Pido un café.
- Preguntar = to ask a question: Pregunto la hora.
- Never use preguntar with a thing you want: Pido ayuda. not Pregunto ayuda.
Pedir: to ask for something
Use pedir when you want something to be given or done: food in a restaurant, a favor, money, help. It is also the verb for ordering. Pedir is a stem-changing verb: pido, pides, pide, pedimos, piden.
Examples
- Pido una sopa y un agua.I order a soup and a water.Ordering.
- Mi hermano me pidió dinero.My brother asked me for money.Requesting a thing.
- Te pido un favor.I ask you a favor.Pedir un favor.
- Pedimos ayuda al profesor.We asked the teacher for help.Pedir ayuda.
Preguntar: to ask a question
Use preguntar when the thing you want is an answer. It is a regular verb. You often use an indirect object: le pregunto (I ask him or her).
Examples
- Le pregunté la hora a un señor.I asked a man the time.Asking for information.
- ¿Puedo preguntar algo?Can I ask something?Asking permission to ask a question.
- Los niños preguntan por qué.The children ask why.Preguntar plus a question.
- Pregunta por ti.She is asking about you.Preguntar por = ask about or ask for someone.
Useful patterns
Pedir que plus the subjunctive means to ask someone to do something: Te pido que vengas. Preguntar si means to ask whether: Pregunta si hay mesa. Preguntar por means to ask about someone or something, as in Preguntan por ti.
Examples
- Te pido que vengas temprano.I ask you to come early.Pedir que + subjunctive.
- Pregunta si hay una mesa libre.Ask if there is a free table.Preguntar si.
- Pregunté por el precio.I asked about the price.Preguntar por.
Spanish around the world
- The difference is the same in every country. In some regions, pedir is also used for “to order” food, while others say ordenar (common in Mexico).
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Pregunto un café.
Correct: Pido un café.
You want a thing, so use pedir.
Incorrect: Le pedí la hora.
Correct: Le pregunté la hora.
The time is information, so use preguntar.
Incorrect: Te pregunto un favor.
Correct: Te pido un favor.
A favor is a request.
Incorrect: Pido por ti.
Correct: Pregunto por ti.
To ask about someone, use preguntar por.
Remember the idea
- Pedir: ask for a thing, a favor, or an order.
- Preguntar: ask a question and wait for an answer.
- Pedir que + subjunctive; preguntar si + indicative.
Mini practice
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Frequently asked questions
How do I say ‘ask a question’ in Spanish?
Say hacer una pregunta. Quiero hacerte una pregunta.
Is pedir irregular?
It changes e to i in the present: pido, pides, pide, piden. It also changes in the preterite: pidió.
How do I order food?
Pedir or ordenar. Quisiera pedir una pizza.
Does preguntar change its stem?
No. Preguntar is regular.
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