pedirvspreguntar
/peh-DEER/
/preh-goon-TAR/
💡 Quick Rule
Pedir = to ask FOR something. Preguntar = to ask a QUESTION.
You pedir for a pizza, but you preguntar the price.
- Use 'pedir un favor' to ask for a favor.
- Use 'pedir permiso' to ask for permission.
- Use 'pedir prestado' to ask to borrow something.
📊 Comparison Table
| Context | pedir | preguntar | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| In a restaurant | Pido más agua. | Pregunto si aceptan tarjeta. | Pedir for the object (water), preguntar for information (if they take credit cards). |
| Getting directions | Pido indicaciones para llegar. | Pregunto dónde está la estación. | Pedir for the 'thing' (directions), preguntar the question (where is...). |
| At work | Pido un aumento de sueldo. | Pregunto cuándo es la reunión. | Pedir to request a thing (a raise), preguntar to inquire about information (the meeting time). |
| With a friend | Te pido un favor. | Te pregunto cómo estás. | Pedir for a request/action (a favor), preguntar for information (how you are). |
✅ When to Use "pedir" / preguntar
pedir
To ask for something; to request an object, service, or action.
/peh-DEER/
Ordering food & drink
Voy a pedir una cerveza.
I'm going to order a beer.
Requesting an object
Pido la cuenta, por favor.
I'll have the bill, please.
Asking for a favor or help
Te pido ayuda con esto.
I'm asking you for help with this.
Requesting someone to do something
Me pidió que cerrara la puerta.
He asked me to close the door.
preguntar
To ask a question; to inquire about information.
/preh-goon-TAR/
Asking for information
¿Puedo preguntar tu nombre?
Can I ask your name?
Posing a question with if/what/where/when
Me preguntó dónde estaba el baño.
He asked me where the bathroom was.
Inquiring about someone or something
Ella siempre pregunta por ti.
She always asks about you.
Checking on something
Voy a preguntar si ya llegó el paquete.
I'm going to ask if the package has arrived yet.
🔄 Contrast Examples
With "pedir":
Pido un descuento.
I ask for a discount. (A direct request)
With "preguntar":
Pregunto si hay descuento.
I ask if there is a discount. (An inquiry)
The Difference: 'Pedir' is actively requesting the discount itself. 'Preguntar' is simply asking for information about whether a discount exists.
With "pedir":
Te pido que vengas a la fiesta.
I'm asking you to come to the party. (A request/plea)
With "preguntar":
Te pregunto si vienes a la fiesta.
I'm asking if you are coming to the party. (A question)
The Difference: 'Pedir que...' is used to request an action from someone. 'Preguntar si...' is used to ask for information about their plans.
With "pedir":
Pido una habitación con vista al mar.
I'm requesting a room with an ocean view.
With "preguntar":
Pregunto si tienen una habitación con vista al mar.
I'm asking if you have a room with an ocean view.
The Difference: 'Pedir' is making the direct request for the room. 'Preguntar' is the initial inquiry to see if such a room is even available.
🎨 Visual Comparison
Use 'pedir' to ask FOR something. Use 'preguntar' to ask ABOUT something.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Pregunté un café.
Pedí un café.
When ordering or requesting an item like coffee, you always use 'pedir'. 'Preguntar por un café' means you were asking about it (e.g., if they have it), not ordering it.
Te pido qué hora es.
Te pregunto qué hora es.
You are asking for a piece of information (the time), which is a question. Always use 'preguntar' for questions.
📚 Related Grammar
Want to understand the grammar behind this pair? Explore these lessons for a deep dive:
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: Pedir vs Preguntar
Question 1 of 3
You're in a library and want to know what time it closes. What do you do?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I just use 'preguntar por' to ask for something?
'Preguntar por' means 'to ask about' or 'to inquire after' someone or something. For example, 'Pregunto por el gerente' means 'I'm asking for the manager' (as in, I want to know where they are or speak to them). To ask FOR an object, like a coffee, you must use 'pedir'.
Is 'pedir' always for objects and 'preguntar' for information?
Mostly, yes! That's the best way to think about it. 'Pedir' is for tangible things, services, or actions. 'Preguntar' is for knowledge. The main tricky cases are set phrases like 'pedir un favor' (ask a favor) or 'pedir permiso' (ask permission), which you just have to memorize.