Hi, I’m Kodak.
The English verb “to ask” can describe several different actions.
You can:
ask someone’s name
ask for water
ask for help
ask someone to wait
ask for the check at a restaurant
English uses ask in all of these situations.
Spanish normally divides them between two verbs:
to ask a question or request information
pedir
to ask for, request, order, or demand something
This difference is logical once you understand what the speaker expects to receive.
Are you expecting an answer?
Or are you expecting a thing, action, service, permission, or favor?
In this article, we will examine pedir vs. preguntar from a beginner’s point of view.
Both pedir and preguntar can mean “to ask.”
What is the easiest way to tell them apart?
Think about what you want the other person to give you.
If you want an answer or information, use preguntar.
If you want a thing, action, service, permission, or favor, use pedir.
- 1 Pedir vs. Preguntar: The Quick Answer
- 2 The Core Image of Preguntar
- 3 The Core Image and Meaning of Pedir
- 4 Pedir vs. Preguntar Comparison Table
- 5 Use Preguntar to Ask a Question
- 6 Preguntar Algo a Alguien
- 7 Preguntar Followed by a Question Word
- 8 Preguntar Si: Ask Whether or If
- 9 Preguntar Por: Ask About or Ask for Information About
- 10 Do Not Confuse Preguntar Por with Pedir Por
- 11 Use Pedir to Request an Object
- 12 Pedir Algo a Alguien
- 13 Use Pedir to Order Food and Drinks
- 14 Preguntar the Price vs. Pedir the Product
- 15 Common Expressions with Pedir
- 15.1 Pedir Ayuda — Ask for Help
- 15.2 Pedir Permiso — Ask for Permission
- 15.3 Pedir un Favor — Ask a Favor
- 15.4 Pedir Consejo — Ask for Advice
- 15.5 Pedir Perdón — Apologize or Ask for Forgiveness
- 15.6 Pedir una Cita — Request an Appointment
- 15.7 Pedir la Cuenta — Ask for the Check
- 15.8 Pedir Prestado — Ask to Borrow
- 16 Pedir Que: Ask Someone to Do Something
- 17 Do Not Add De Before Pedir Que
- 18 Preguntar vs. Pedir Permiso
- 19 Pedir Consejo vs. Preguntar Qué Hacer
- 20 Pedir Directions or Preguntar Directions?
- 21 Pedir Can Also Mean Demand or Require
- 22 Present-Tense Conjugation of Pedir
- 23 Present-Tense Conjugation of Preguntar
- 24 Pedir vs. Preguntar in the Past Tense
- 25 Natural Conversation Examples
- 26 Pedir vs. Preguntar Examples Side by Side
- 27 Common Beginner Mistakes
- 27.1 Mistake 1: Translating “Ask For” Mechanically
- 27.2 Mistake 2: Using Preguntar for a Requested Object
- 27.3 Mistake 3: Using Pedir for a Question
- 27.4 Mistake 4: Adding Por After Every Use of Pedir
- 27.5 Mistake 5: Saying Pedir de Que
- 27.6 Mistake 6: Forgetting the Indirect Object Pronoun
- 27.7 Mistake 7: Forgetting the Stem Change in Pedir
- 27.8 Mistake 8: Treating Every Request as a Question
- 28 Practice: Choose Pedir or Preguntar
- 29 Frequently Asked Questions About Pedir vs. Preguntar
- 29.1 What is the difference between pedir and preguntar?
- 29.2 How do you say “to ask” in Spanish?
- 29.3 What does pedir mean?
- 29.4 How do you say “ask a question” in Spanish?
- 29.5 How do you say “ask for help” in Spanish?
- 29.6 How do you say “ask someone to do something” in Spanish?
- 29.7 Do you use pedir or preguntar at a restaurant?
- 29.8 Is preguntar por the same as pedir por?
- 29.9 Why is it preguntar el nombre but pedir ayuda?
- 29.10 Is pedir a regular verb?
- 30 Pedir vs. Preguntar: Final Summary
- 31 Related Guide
Pedir vs. Preguntar: The Quick Answer
Preguntar
Ask a question because you want information or an answer.
Pregunté su nombre.
I asked his name.
Le pregunté dónde vivía.
I asked him where he lived.
Pedir
Ask for or request a thing, action, service, favor, or permission.
Pedí agua.
I asked for water.
Le pedí ayuda.
I asked him for help.
The key contrast is:
I want you to tell me something.
Expected result: an answer or information
Pedir
I want you to give me or do something.
Expected result: a thing, action, service, permission, or favor
Compare:
Le pregunté la hora.
I asked him what time it was.
Le pedí su reloj.
I asked him for his watch.
In the first sentence, the speaker wants information about the time.
In the second sentence, the speaker wants the watch itself.
Could I remember it as:
preguntar = ask
pedir = ask for?
Yes. That is a very useful beginner rule.
Just remember that English sometimes leaves out the word for, especially in expressions such as “ask permission” or “ask someone to wait.”
Spanish still uses pedir because the speaker is requesting something.
The Core Image of Preguntar
Preguntar means to put a question to someone so that the person provides information or an answer.
Its core image is:
Creating an information gap and asking another person to fill it with an answer.
You do not know something, so you ask a question.
Pregunté la dirección.
I asked for the address.
Literally: I asked what the address was.
Le pregunté su nombre.
I asked him his name.
Preguntamos cuándo empezaba la reunión.
We asked when the meeting started.
Although the English translation may contain ask for, the Spanish verb can still be preguntar when the desired result is information.
Wait—“ask for the address” contains for.
Why isn’t it pedir la dirección?
Because you normally want someone to tell you the address.
You are requesting information, so preguntar is the natural verb.
Do not choose the Spanish verb only by looking for the English word for.
The Core Image and Meaning of Pedir
Pedir comes from the Latin verb petere.
Its central meaning is to express a need or desire so that another person provides or satisfies it.
Reaching toward another person for something you want them to give, provide, allow, or do.
The requested result can be physical:
Pedí un vaso de agua.
I asked for a glass of water.
It can be an action:
Le pedí que esperara.
I asked him to wait.
It can be help, permission, advice, or a favor:
Pedimos ayuda.
We asked for help.
Pidió permiso para salir.
She asked for permission to leave.
Does pedir always mean asking for a physical object?
No.
You can pedir help, permission, advice, forgiveness, a favor, an appointment, silence, or an action.
The important point is that you want someone to provide or do something—not simply answer a question.
Pedir vs. Preguntar Comparison Table
| Situation | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ask a question | preguntar | Quiero preguntar algo. |
| Ask someone’s name | preguntar | Le pregunté su nombre. |
| Ask where something is | preguntar | Pregunté dónde estaba el banco. |
| Ask about a person | preguntar por | Preguntó por Ana. |
| Ask for an object | pedir | Pedí una toalla. |
| Order food or drink | pedir | Pedimos dos cafés. |
| Ask for help | pedir | Pidió ayuda. |
| Ask someone to act | pedir que | Le pedí que viniera. |
Could I simply ask myself whether I expect an answer or a result?
Yes.
Expected answer → preguntar.
Expected object, action, service, or permission → pedir.
That rule solves most beginner-level cases.
Use Preguntar to Ask a Question
Use preguntar when you form a question because you want information.
Quiero preguntarte algo.
I want to ask you something.
El alumno hizo una pregunta.
The student asked a question.
Literally: The student made a question.
Pregunté si había habitaciones libres.
I asked whether there were any available rooms.
Puedes preguntar cuando no entiendas algo.
You can ask when you do not understand something.
Notice that Spanish also commonly uses the noun expression:
to ask a question
Literally: to make a question
Can I say pedir una pregunta for “ask a question”?
Not when you mean that you are asking the question yourself.
Use hacer una pregunta or the verb preguntar.
Pedir una pregunta would suggest requesting that someone give or submit a question.
Preguntar Algo a Alguien
A common structure is:
to ask someone something
The question or information is the direct object.
The person who receives the question is the indirect object.
Pregunté la hora al recepcionista.
I asked the receptionist the time.
Le pregunté la hora.
I asked him or her the time.
Ana me preguntó mi edad.
Ana asked me my age.
The indirect object pronouns are therefore common:
te preguntó — asked you
le preguntó — asked him, her, or you formally
nos preguntó — asked us
les preguntó — asked them or you all
Why is it le pregunté and not lo pregunté when I asked a man?
Because the person is normally the indirect object: the person to whom you direct the question.
The information or question is the direct object.
Therefore, standard beginner usage is le pregunté.
Preguntar Followed by a Question Word
Preguntar is frequently followed by an indirect question.
ask what
preguntar + quién
ask who
preguntar + dónde
ask where
preguntar + cuándo
ask when
preguntar + por qué
ask why
preguntar + cómo
ask how
preguntar + cuánto
ask how much
Le pregunté dónde vivía.
I asked him where he lived.
Preguntamos cuánto costaba.
We asked how much it cost.
Ella preguntó por qué habíamos llegado tarde.
She asked why we had arrived late.
Me preguntó cómo me llamaba.
He asked me what my name was.
Literally: He asked me how I was called.
Does the question after preguntar keep question marks?
Not when it is embedded inside a larger statement.
¿Dónde vive? is a direct question.
Le pregunté dónde vivía. is an indirect question, so the full sentence is not written with question marks.
Preguntar Si: Ask Whether or If
Use preguntar si for a yes-or-no question reported inside another sentence.
Pregunté si el museo estaba abierto.
I asked whether the museum was open.
Me preguntó si tenía tiempo.
She asked me if I had time.
Vamos a preguntar si aceptan tarjetas.
We are going to ask whether they accept cards.
This structure still uses preguntar because the speaker expects a yes-or-no answer.
What about “I asked if I could leave”?
Is that preguntar or pedir?
Both viewpoints are possible, but they emphasize different things.
Pregunté si podía salir emphasizes asking the question.
Pedí permiso para salir emphasizes requesting permission.
Preguntar Por: Ask About or Ask for Information About
Use preguntar por when asking about a person, thing, topic, or situation.
Pregunté por Ana.
I asked about Ana.
I asked whether Ana was there.
El médico preguntó por tus síntomas.
The doctor asked about your symptoms.
Llamó para preguntar por el trabajo.
She called to ask about the job.
Preguntamos por el horario del tren.
We asked about the train schedule.
The preposition por introduces the person or subject about which information is requested.
If I enter an office and say Pregunto por Carlos, am I asking a question about him?
In that setting, it can mean that you are asking whether Carlos is there or asking to contact him.
A natural polite expression is:
Buenos días. Pregunto por Carlos.
Do Not Confuse Preguntar Por with Pedir Por
For general standard Spanish, use preguntar por alguien when you are asking about the person or asking whether the person is available.
Preguntó por María.
He asked about María or asked whether María was there.
Pedir por has other established meanings.
It can mean to pray for someone or something:
Pidieron por los enfermos.
They prayed for the sick.
It can also appear when stating the price requested for something:
Piden cien euros por la mesa.
They are asking one hundred euros for the table.
Some regional varieties use pedir por in additional ways, but learners should not use it as a general replacement for preguntar por.
English says “ask for Carlos” when calling an office.
Is that why learners sometimes use pedir por Carlos?
Yes. It is an easy word-for-word mistake.
In general standard usage, say preguntar por Carlos or simply ¿Puedo hablar con Carlos?
Use Pedir to Request an Object
Use pedir when you want someone to give or provide an object.
Pedí una manta.
I asked for a blanket.
¿Puedes pedir otra silla?
Can you ask for another chair?
El niño pidió un juguete.
The child asked for a toy.
Le pedí su bolígrafo.
I asked him for his pen.
The object requested follows pedir directly.
pedir agua
ask for water
pedir una habitación
request a room
pedir un documento
request a document
Do I need a preposition equivalent to English for after pedir?
No.
The requested thing is normally placed directly after the verb:
Pedí agua, not pedí por agua in the ordinary request meaning.
Pedir Algo a Alguien
When you mention the person from whom you request something, use this basic pattern:
to ask someone for something
Pedí ayuda a mi profesor.
I asked my teacher for help.
Le pedí ayuda a mi profesor.
I asked my teacher for help.
Ana me pidió dinero.
Ana asked me for money.
The requested thing is the direct object.
The person who receives the request is the indirect object.
te pidió — asked you for something
le pidió — asked him, her, or you formally for something
nos pidió — asked us for something
les pidió — asked them or you all for something
Both verbs use le for the person?
Doesn’t that make them confusing again?
The pronoun can be the same, but the requested result is different.
Le pregunté la hora: I wanted information.
Le pedí el reloj: I wanted the object.
Use Pedir to Order Food and Drinks
At a restaurant, café, or bar, pedir means to order.
Voy a pedir una ensalada.
I am going to order a salad.
Pedimos dos cafés y una botella de agua.
We ordered two coffees and a bottle of water.
¿Qué vas a pedir?
What are you going to order?
Todavía no hemos pedido.
We have not ordered yet.
This is a natural extension of the core idea: you ask the restaurant to provide something.
What happens if I use preguntar un café?
It would not express ordering a coffee.
You are requesting the drink itself, so say pedir un café.
Use preguntar for questions about the coffee, such as its price or ingredients.
Preguntar the Price vs. Pedir the Product
A shopping situation can require both verbs.
Pregunté cuánto costaba la camisa.
I asked how much the shirt cost.
Después pedí una talla más grande.
Then I asked for a larger size.
The first action seeks information.
The second requests an item.
How much does it cost?
→ a question: preguntar
Quiero otra talla.
I want another size.
→ a request: pedir
What if I ask the salesperson to tell me the price?
Isn’t that also requesting an action?
Logically, yes, but Spanish classifies the communication by its main purpose.
You are asking a question whose answer is the price.
Therefore, preguntar cuánto cuesta is the natural pattern.
Common Expressions with Pedir
Pedir Ayuda — Ask for Help
No tengas miedo de pedir ayuda.
Do not be afraid to ask for help.
Pedir Permiso — Ask for Permission
Tienes que pedir permiso antes de entrar.
You have to ask for permission before entering.
Pedir un Favor — Ask a Favor
¿Puedo pedirte un favor?
Can I ask you a favor?
Pedir Consejo — Ask for Advice
Le pedí consejo a mi madre.
I asked my mother for advice.
Pedir Perdón — Apologize or Ask for Forgiveness
Tienes que pedirle perdón.
You have to apologize to him or her.
Pedir una Cita — Request an Appointment
Llamé para pedir una cita con el médico.
I called to make or request an appointment with the doctor.
Pedir la Cuenta — Ask for the Check
¿Podemos pedir la cuenta?
Can we ask for the check?
Pedir Prestado — Ask to Borrow
Le pedí prestado su coche.
I asked to borrow his car.
English says “ask a favor,” without for.
Why does Spanish still use pedir?
Because a favor is something you want the other person to do for you.
The English preposition does not control the Spanish verb.
Focus on the meaning: you are making a request, so use pedir.
Pedir Que: Ask Someone to Do Something
Use pedir que when you request that another person perform an action.
The subordinate verb normally appears in the subjunctive.
to ask someone to do something
Le pedí que esperara.
I asked him or her to wait.
Mi madre me pidió que limpiara mi habitación.
My mother asked me to clean my room.
Te pido que hables más despacio.
I am asking you to speak more slowly.
Nos pidieron que llegáramos temprano.
They asked us to arrive early.
The first verb expresses the request.
The subjunctive expresses the desired action that has not yet been completed.
Why do I need the subjunctive after pedir que?
Because the second action is being requested rather than reported as a completed fact.
The speaker wants another person to make that action happen.
For now, memorize pedir que + subjunctive as one common request pattern.
Can I say Le pedí que espera?
No. After a past request, the normal form here is the imperfect subjunctive:
Le pedí que esperara.
For a present request, you can say Le pido que espere.
Do Not Add De Before Pedir Que
The requested action follows pedir without the preposition de.
Le pedí que viniera.
I asked him to come.
Incorrect in standard Spanish:
Le pedí de que viniera.
The same principle applies before an infinitive used as the requested action.
Me pidió guardar silencio.
He asked me to remain silent.
Do not insert de:
Me pidió de guardar silencio.
For learners, the clearest and most productive construction is usually pedir que + subjunctive when the requested performer is explicitly expressed.
Does English “ask someone to do something” always become pedir que?
It is the safest general pattern for a request.
Spanish can also use an infinitive in some constructions, but pedirle a alguien que + subjunctive makes the roles very clear for beginners.
Preguntar vs. Pedir Permiso
When requesting permission, Spanish commonly uses pedir permiso.
Pedí permiso para usar el baño.
I asked for permission to use the restroom.
You can also formulate a direct question:
Pregunté si podía usar el baño.
I asked whether I could use the restroom.
The real-life situation is similar, but the grammatical viewpoint changes.
Focus: requesting permission
Preguntar si se puede…
Focus: asking a yes-or-no question
Does that mean both verbs can sometimes describe nearly the same event?
Yes.
One real-world event may contain both a question and a request.
The verb shows whether the speaker presents it as seeking an answer or seeking permission or action.
Pedir Consejo vs. Preguntar Qué Hacer
Advice provides another useful comparison.
Le pedí consejo a mi amiga.
I asked my friend for advice.
The requested object is advice, so Spanish uses pedir.
Le pregunté qué debía hacer.
I asked her what I should do.
This version explicitly reports the question, so it uses preguntar.
pedir consejo
Asking a specific question:
preguntar qué hacer
So I can often rephrase the same situation and change the verb?
Exactly.
Pedí consejo names what you requested.
Pregunté qué debía hacer reports the information you asked for.
Pedir Directions or Preguntar Directions?
When you need directions, you are normally requesting information.
Therefore, use preguntar:
Pregunté cómo llegar a la estación.
I asked how to get to the station.
Le preguntamos dónde estaba el museo.
We asked him where the museum was.
Voy a preguntar el camino.
I am going to ask the way.
However, if you want someone to physically guide or accompany you, you are requesting an action:
Le pedí que me acompañara a la estación.
I asked him to accompany me to the station.
If I ask someone to show me the way, which verb do I use?
Use pedir if you are requesting the action:
Le pedí que me mostrara el camino.
Use preguntar if you ask a question about the route.
Pedir Can Also Mean Demand or Require
Pedir does not always describe a gentle request.
Depending on the subject and context, it can mean to demand, call for, or require.
Los trabajadores piden mejores condiciones.
The workers are demanding better conditions.
La situación pide una respuesta inmediata.
The situation calls for an immediate response.
Este trabajo pide mucha paciencia.
This job requires a great deal of patience.
The underlying image remains similar: something is presented as necessary or desired.
Present-Tense Conjugation of Pedir
Pedir is a stem-changing verb.
The vowel e changes to i in many present-tense forms.
| Subject | Pedir |
|---|---|
| yo | pido |
| tú | pides |
| él / ella / usted | pide |
| nosotros / nosotras | pedimos |
| vosotros / vosotras | pedís |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | piden |
Notice that nosotros and vosotros keep the original e.
pido, pides, pide, piden
Forms without the stem change:
pedimos, pedís
Other useful irregular forms include:
pidió — he, she, or you formally asked for
pidieron — they or you all asked for
pida — present subjunctive form
Why is it pido but pedimos?
It looks irregular.
It is an e-to-i stem-changing verb.
The change appears in the stressed present-tense forms, while pedimos and pedís keep the original vowel.
It is useful to memorize pido, pides, pide, pedimos, pedís, piden as a set.
Present-Tense Conjugation of Preguntar
Preguntar follows the regular present-tense pattern for an -ar verb.
| Subject | Preguntar |
|---|---|
| yo | pregunto |
| tú | preguntas |
| él / ella / usted | pregunta |
| nosotros / nosotras | preguntamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | preguntáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | preguntan |
The first-person preterite is:
I asked
The written accent marks the stressed final syllable.
Pedir vs. Preguntar in the Past Tense
Both verbs can describe an event in which someone “asked,” but the object of the request remains different.
I asked what time it was.
→ requested information
Pedí más tiempo.
I asked for more time.
→ requested an additional resource or allowance
Compare another pair:
I asked him whether he could help me.
→ presented as a yes-or-no question
Le pedí que me ayudara.
I asked him to help me.
→ presented as a direct request for action
The second sentence can sound more direct because the speaker explicitly requests the help.
Natural Conversation Examples
At a Restaurant
Do you already know what you are going to order?
B: Sí. Voy a pedir la sopa.
Yes. I am going to order the soup.
A: Voy a preguntar si tiene carne.
I am going to ask whether it contains meat.
Pedir is used for ordering the soup.
Preguntar is used for obtaining information about its ingredients.
At a Hotel
I would like to request another towel.
Receptionist: Claro.
Of course.
Guest: También quería preguntar a qué hora sirven el desayuno.
I also wanted to ask what time breakfast is served.
The towel is a requested object.
The breakfast time is requested information.
Asking for Help
Why did you call Marta?
B: Le pedí ayuda con el ordenador.
I asked her for help with the computer.
A: ¿Y qué te dijo?
And what did she tell you?
B: Me preguntó cuál era el problema.
She asked me what the problem was.
At a Store
I asked how much this jacket cost.
Employee: Cuesta setenta euros.
It costs seventy euros.
Customer: Entonces, voy a pedir una talla más grande.
Then I am going to ask for a larger size.
Pedir vs. Preguntar Examples Side by Side
Pregunté si el agua era potable.
I asked whether the water was safe to drink.
Pedí un vaso de agua.
I asked for a glass of water.
Le pregunté cuándo era el examen.
I asked the teacher when the exam was.
Le pedí más tiempo.
I asked the teacher for more time.
Pregunté si había habitaciones disponibles.
I asked whether there were available rooms.
Pedí una habitación tranquila.
I requested a quiet room.
Pregunté cómo llegar al aeropuerto.
I asked how to get to the airport.
Le pedí al conductor que me llevara al aeropuerto.
I asked the driver to take me to the airport.
Le pregunté qué debía hacer.
I asked her what I should do.
Le pedí consejo.
I asked her for advice.
Llamé para preguntar por Elena.
I called to ask for or inquire about Elena.
Le pedí a Elena que me llamara.
I asked Elena to call me.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Translating “Ask For” Mechanically
Natural Spanish:
Le pregunté su nombre.
The name is information, so use preguntar.
Mistake 2: Using Preguntar for a Requested Object
Pregunté un café.
Correct:
Pedí un café.
Mistake 3: Using Pedir for a Question
Pedí dónde estaba el banco.
Correct:
Pregunté dónde estaba el banco.
Mistake 4: Adding Por After Every Use of Pedir
Pedí por agua.
Correct:
Pedí agua.
Mistake 5: Saying Pedir de Que
Le pedí de que viniera.
Correct:
Le pedí que viniera.
Mistake 6: Forgetting the Indirect Object Pronoun
When the person receiving the question or request is clear, Spanish commonly uses an indirect object pronoun.
I asked him or her the time.
Le pedí ayuda.
I asked him or her for help.
Mistake 7: Forgetting the Stem Change in Pedir
Correct: yo pido
Incorrect: él pedió
Correct: él pidió
Mistake 8: Treating Every Request as a Question
A request may be phrased politely or even as a question in English, but Spanish still uses pedir when the central purpose is to obtain something.
¿Puedo pedirte un favor?
Can I ask you a favor?
The full sentence is grammatically a question, but the favor itself is something being requested.
Practice: Choose Pedir or Preguntar
Choose the correct form of pedir or preguntar.
2. Ayer ______ una pizza.
3. Le ______ dónde estaba la estación.
4. Mi jefe me ______ que terminara el informe.
5. ¿Puedo ______te un favor?
6. El médico me ______ por mis síntomas.
7. Tenemos que ______ permiso antes de entrar.
8. Llamé para ______ por Daniel.
9. Ella ______ una habitación con vistas al mar.
10. Nos ______ si teníamos alguna pregunta.
11. Le ______ consejo a mi profesora.
12. Voy a ______ si aceptan tarjetas.
Answers
Voy a preguntar cuánto cuesta este libro.
You want price information.
2. pedí
Ayer pedí una pizza.
You ordered a physical item.
3. pregunté
Le pregunté dónde estaba la estación.
You requested location information.
4. pidió
Mi jefe me pidió que terminara el informe.
Your boss requested an action.
5. pedir
¿Puedo pedirte un favor?
A favor is something requested.
6. preguntó
El médico me preguntó por mis síntomas.
The doctor requested information about a topic.
7. pedir
Tenemos que pedir permiso antes de entrar.
Permission is requested.
8. preguntar
Llamé para preguntar por Daniel.
You asked whether Daniel was there or asked about him.
9. pidió
Ella pidió una habitación con vistas al mar.
She requested a particular room.
10. preguntaron
Nos preguntaron si teníamos alguna pregunta.
They asked a yes-or-no question.
11. pedí
Le pedí consejo a mi profesora.
Advice is the requested result.
12. preguntar
Voy a preguntar si aceptan tarjetas.
You want a yes-or-no answer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedir vs. Preguntar
What is the difference between pedir and preguntar?
Preguntar means to ask a question or request information. Pedir means to ask for, request, order, or demand a thing, action, service, permission, or favor.
How do you say “to ask” in Spanish?
Use preguntar when you want an answer. Use pedir when you want someone to provide or do something.
What does pedir mean?
Pedir commonly means “to ask for,” “to request,” or “to order.” It can also mean “to demand” or “to require” in certain contexts.
How do you say “ask a question” in Spanish?
You can say hacer una pregunta or use the verb preguntar.
How do you say “ask for help” in Spanish?
Say:
pedir ayuda
How do you say “ask someone to do something” in Spanish?
A common pattern is:
pedirle a alguien que + subjunctive
For example:
Le pedí que esperara.
Do you use pedir or preguntar at a restaurant?
Use pedir to order food or drinks. Use preguntar to ask about the price, ingredients, menu, or available options.
Is preguntar por the same as pedir por?
No. Preguntar por normally means to ask about someone or something, or ask whether a person is available. Pedir por has other uses, such as praying for someone or stating a requested price.
Why is it preguntar el nombre but pedir ayuda?
A name is information that someone tells you, so use preguntar. Help is an action or service that someone provides, so use pedir.
Is pedir a regular verb?
No. It is an e-to-i stem-changing verb. Important forms include pido, pides, pide, piden, pidió, pidieron, and pidiendo.
→ PREGUNTAR
→ PEDIR
Pregunté la dirección. → PREGUNTAR
Pedir un favor. → PEDIR
Pregunté por Ana. → PREGUNTAR POR
Quick habit: ignore the English preposition entirely. Ask yourself only what you expect back — words, or something else.
Pedir vs. Preguntar: Final Summary
● an answer
● a fact or piece of information
● a name, address, time, price, or reason
● to ask where, when, why, how, or whether something happens
● information about a person or topic with preguntar por
Use pedir when you want:
● an object
● food or drink at a restaurant
● help, advice, permission, or a favor
● an appointment or service
● another person to perform an action
● pedir que + subjunctive
Core memory rule:
● Expected answer → preguntar
● Expected thing, action, service, or permission → pedir
Do not choose the verb by looking only at whether the English sentence contains the word for.
Instead, imagine the result you expect from the other person.
If you expect words and information, use preguntar.
If you expect an object, action, service, favor, or permission, use pedir.
Real Academia Española and Asociación de Academias de la Lengua Española, Diccionario de la lengua española: “pedir.”
Real Academia Española and Asociación de Academias de la Lengua Española, Diccionario de la lengua española: “preguntar.”
Real Academia Española and Asociación de Academias de la Lengua Española, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: “pedir.”
Real Academia Española and Asociación de Academias de la Lengua Española, Diccionario panhispánico de dudas: “preguntar.”
Related Guide
For the full map of Spanish verb pairs that learners mix up, start with the main guide: Confusing Spanish Verb Pairs: Commonly Confused Verbs Explained.
