In Spanish, both pedir and preguntar translate to “to ask” in English — but they are not interchangeable. The short version: use pedir when you are requesting something (an object, a favor, an action), and use preguntar when you are asking for information (a question). This guide breaks down the difference, shows you how to conjugate both verbs in the present tense, and gives you real examples you can use right away.
Pedir vs. preguntar at a glance
| Verb | Means | You are asking for… | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pedir | to ask for / to request / to order | an item, a service, a favor, an action | Pedir un café (to order a coffee) |
| Preguntar | to ask (a question) | information or knowledge | Preguntar la hora (to ask the time) |
Pedir: to ask for (request something)
Use pedir when you want someone to give you something or do something. It always expects an action or a response. One helpful note for English speakers: the word “for” is already built into pedir — you say pedir agua (to ask for water), never “pedir para agua.”
- Quiero pedir una pizza. – I want to order a pizza.
- Le pido un favor a Juan. – I ask Juan for a favor.
- Pedimos la cuenta, por favor. – We ask for the bill, please.
Preguntar: to ask a question
Use preguntar when you want information — a fact, an answer, directions. You are not requesting an object; you are seeking knowledge.
- Le pregunto a María cuántos años tiene. – I ask María how old she is.
- Pregunta cuándo es la fiesta. – Ask when the party is.
- Tengo que preguntar dónde está el baño. – I need to ask where the bathroom is.
Conjugating pedir (present tense)
Pedir is an -IR verb with an e→i stem change in every form except nosotros and vosotros.
| Subject | Pedir | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | pido | I ask for |
| Tú | pides | You ask for |
| Él / Ella / Usted | pide | He / She / You ask for |
| Nosotros(as) | pedimos | We ask for |
| Vosotros(as) | pedís | You all ask for |
| Ellos / Ellas / Ustedes | piden | They / You all ask for |
Conjugating preguntar (present tense)
Preguntar is a regular -AR verb — no stem change, just the standard -AR endings.
| Subject | Preguntar | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | pregunto | I ask |
| Tú | preguntas | You ask |
| Él / Ella / Usted | pregunta | He / She / You ask |
| Nosotros(as) | preguntamos | We ask |
| Vosotros(as) | preguntáis | You all ask |
| Ellos / Ellas / Ustedes | preguntan | They / You all ask |
Real-world examples
- Restaurant: Yo pido una limonada. – I order a lemonade. (requesting) vs. Pregunto si hay menú en inglés. – I ask if there is an English menu. (information)
- Workplace: Pedimos que nos suban el sueldo. – We ask for a raise. vs. Preguntamos por la señora Beatriz. – We ask for (about) Mrs. Beatriz.
A common mistake to avoid
English uses one verb — “to ask” — for both situations, so it is easy to reach for the wrong Spanish verb. If you can replace “ask” with “request,” use pedir. If you can replace it with “ask a question,” use preguntar. A quick way to practice this is out loud with a teacher who can correct you in the moment.
Keep practicing
Choosing between pedir and preguntar gets easier with real conversation practice. Try it with everyday situations — ordering, requesting, asking directions — then work through the exercises and quizzes in our free Spanish lessons. Not sure of your level? Take the free Spanish placement test.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between pedir and preguntar?
Use pedir to request something (an object, a favor, an action) and preguntar to ask for information or a question. Pedir un café = to order a coffee; preguntar la hora = to ask the time.
What does pedir mean in English?
Pedir means “to ask for,” “to request,” or “to order.” The “for” is built in, so you say pedir agua (ask for water), not “pedir para agua.”
How do you conjugate pedir in the present tense?
Pido, pides, pide, pedimos, pedís, piden. Pedir has an e→i stem change in every form except nosotros (pedimos) and vosotros (pedís).
Is preguntar a stem-changing verb?
No. Preguntar is a regular -AR verb: pregunto, preguntas, pregunta, preguntamos, preguntáis, preguntan.