Spanish grammar · Beginner
Pedir vs. Preguntar: Two Ways to Say to Ask in Spanish
Both pedir and preguntar translate to to ask, but they split the meaning: pedir = to request a THING or favor; preguntar = to ask a QUESTION (request information).
Le pido un favor.
I'm asking him for a favor.
What it is
Both pedir and preguntar translate to to ask in English, but they split the work: pedir = to request a thing, service, or favor; preguntar = to ask a question (request information). English collapses both into ask, which is why this pair trips up learners.
Le pido un favor (I'm asking him for a favor) uses pedir because you want something. Le pregunto su nombre (I'm asking him his name) uses preguntar because you want information.
How to spot it
Are you requesting a THING / FAVOR / ACTION? → pedir. Are you asking a QUESTION (seeking info)? → preguntar.
- Pido la cuenta. — I'm asking for the check. (requesting a thing)
- Pregunto la hora. — I'm asking for the time. (requesting info)
- Te pido ayuda. — I'm asking you for help. (requesting a favor)
Quick test: if you can rephrase as I want ___ (a thing / favor), use pedir. If it's I want to know ___, use preguntar.
Pedir vs. Preguntar Quick Reference
Pedir vs. preguntar
| Verb | Meaning | Direct Object |
|---|---|---|
| pedir | to request (a thing / favor / action) | the THING requested |
| preguntar | to ask (a question / info) | the QUESTION itself |
| pedir + que + subj. | to request someone do something | Te pido que vengas. |
| preguntar + si / qué / cuándo | to ask a wh-question | Te pregunto si vienes. |
Common Pedir vs. Preguntar Examples in Spanish
Pedir vs. preguntar across everyday contexts:
Pedir, Requesting Things / Favors
- Te pido un favor.
- I'm asking you a favor.
- Pido la cuenta, por favor.
- Check, please.
- Le pidió perdón a su madre.
- He asked his mother for forgiveness.
Pedir takes the thing requested as the direct object, and often an indirect object (te, le) for who you're asking.
Preguntar, Asking Questions
- Te pregunto la hora.
- I'm asking you the time.
- Le pregunté su nombre.
- I asked him his name.
- Pregúntale si viene.
- Ask him if he's coming.
Preguntar takes the question (or a si / qué / cuándo clause) as the direct object.
Pedir Que + Subjunctive
- Te pido que vengas.
- I'm asking you to come.
- Le pido que me ayude.
- I'm asking him to help me.
Pedir + que triggers subjunctive in the dependent clause, because you're making a request of someone.
Preguntar Por, Ask About / Ask For Someone
- Pregunté por tu hermano.
- I asked about your brother.
- Pregunta por María en recepción.
- Ask for María at the reception.
Preguntar por = ask about (someone's wellbeing) OR ask for someone (when looking for them).
How to Choose Between Pedir and Preguntar
Pedir = Request a Thing or Favor
Use pedir whenever you're requesting a thing, service, or action. The direct object is what you want; the indirect object is who you're asking.
Le pido un café al camarero. Te pido un favor.
I ask the waiter for a coffee. I ask you a favor.
If you'd say in English I'm asking for X or I want X, use pedir.
Preguntar = Ask a Question / Seek Info
Use preguntar when you want to KNOW something, when you're seeking information.
Le pregunto la hora. Pregúntale si viene.
I ask him the time. Ask him if he's coming.
If you can rephrase as I want to know X, use preguntar.
Pedir Que + Subjunctive
When asking someone to DO something, use pedir + que + subjunctive.
Te pido que vengas. Le pidió que llamara.
I ask you to come. He asked her to call.
Pedir is a verb of influence, so it triggers subjunctive in the que-clause.
Pedir Is Stem-Changing (e→i)
Pedir is an -ir stem-changer (e→i): pido, pides, pide, pedimos, pedís, piden. Preterite stem-changes in 3rd person: pidió, pidieron. Gerundio: pidiendo.
Yo pido / él pide / pidió / pidiendo.
I ask / he asks / he asked / asking.
Preguntar is fully regular -ar: pregunto, preguntas, pregunta, preguntamos, preguntáis, preguntan.
Common Mistakes with Pedir vs. Preguntar
Incorrect: Te pregunto un favor. — I'm asking you a favor.
Correct: Te pido un favor. — I'm asking you a favor.
A favor is a request, not an information question. Use pedir whenever you want a THING / favor / action.
Incorrect: Pido la hora. — I'm asking the time.
Correct: Pregunto la hora. — I'm asking the time.
You're seeking information (what time is it?). Use preguntar for information questions.
Incorrect: Te pido que vienes. — I'm asking you to come.
Correct: Te pido que vengas. — I'm asking you to come.
Pedir + que triggers subjunctive. Use vengas (present subjunctive), not vienes (indicative).
Pedir = Request; Preguntar = Question
Preguntar Por, Special Idiom
Preguntar por has two meanings: (1) ask about someone's wellbeing, (2) ask for someone (when looking for them).
- Pregunté por tu madre. ¿Cómo está?
- I asked about your mother. How is she?
- Pregunta por María en recepción.
- Ask for María at the reception desk.
Don't confuse with pedir, which would imply requesting your mother as a thing.
Pedir + Subjunctive vs. Pedir + Infinitive
When the subject of pedir and the action verb is the same, use infinitive. When different, use que + subjunctive.
- Pido salir temprano. (same subject)
- I ask to leave early.
- Te pido que salgas temprano. (different subjects)
- I ask YOU to leave early.
If the requester and the doer are the same person, infinitive. Otherwise, que + subjunctive.
Pedir vs. Preguntar FAQs
- What's the difference between pedir and preguntar?
- Pedir = to request a THING, service, or favor (Pido un café = I'm asking for a coffee). Preguntar = to ask a QUESTION, seeking information (Pregunto la hora = I'm asking the time). English collapses both into ask, but Spanish splits them clearly.
- How do I know when to use pedir vs. preguntar?
- Quick test: if you can rephrase as I want ___ (a thing or favor), use pedir. If it's I want to know ___, use preguntar. Pido un favor (I want a favor). Pregunto qué hora es (I want to know what time it is).
- Why does pedir trigger the subjunctive?
- Pedir + que is a verb of influence, you're asking someone to do something. Verbs of influence (querer, pedir, recomendar, sugerir) trigger subjunctive in the dependent clause. Te pido que vengas (not vienes).
- Is preguntar by ever used like pedir?
- Preguntar por means to ask about someone or to ask for someone (looking for them). It's not the same as pedir. Pregunté por tu madre = I asked about your mom (her wellbeing). Pregunta por María = Ask for María (when arriving at a place).
- How can I get better at pedir vs. preguntar?
- Always check: am I requesting a THING / favor (pedir) or asking a QUESTION (preguntar)? Native exposure cements the split fast, Parrot's everyday-life videos feature both verbs in their proper contexts.