pedido
/peh-DEE-doh/
order
In a commercial or restaurant context, pedido means an order.
📝 In Action
Mi pedido de zapatos llega mañana por la tarde.
A2My shoe order arrives tomorrow afternoon.
¿Está listo el pedido para que lo recoja?
A2Is the order ready for me to pick up?
Tenemos muchos pedidos pendientes esta semana.
B1We have many pending orders this week.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even though 'order' in English sometimes feels like a general concept, in Spanish, 'pedido' is always treated as masculine (el pedido).
⭐ Usage Tips
Order vs. Command
Use 'pedido' for asking for goods or services. Use 'orden' (or sometimes 'mandato') when referring to a strict command or instruction.
When used formally, pedido refers to a solemn request or plea.
📝 In Action
El presidente ignoró nuestro pedido de reforma.
B2The president ignored our request for reform.
Ella hizo un pedido desesperado de ayuda financiera.
B1She made a desperate appeal for financial help.
⭐ Usage Tips
Stronger than 'Question'
This kind of 'pedido' is stronger and more purposeful than a simple question ('pregunta'). It often implies a significant need or change.
The adjectival form pedido describes something that has been requested.
📝 In Action
La comida ya está pedida.
A2The food has already been ordered/requested.
Hemos pedido la cuenta hace diez minutos. (Past Participle use)
A2We asked for the check ten minutes ago.
Es una ayuda pedida directamente al gobierno.
B1It is aid requested directly from the government.
💡 Grammar Points
It Changes Endings!
Unlike the noun 'el pedido,' when 'pedido' is used as an adjective or description, it must change its ending to match the thing it describes: 'el libro pedido,' 'la flor pedida,' 'los libros pedidos,' 'las flores pedidas.'
Building Block for Verb Tenses
'Pedido' is the special 'done' form (past participle) of the verb 'pedir.' You combine it with forms of 'haber' (like 'he,' 'has,' 'ha') to talk about things that have already happened: 'Hemos pedido' (We have asked).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Genders
Mistake: "La mesa fue pedido (The table was requested)."
Correction: La mesa fue pedida. (Remember the ending must match 'mesa'.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pedido
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'pedido' as a descriptive word (adjective)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'pedido' and 'pregunta'?
A 'pregunta' is a simple question (like 'Where is the bathroom?'). A 'pedido' is a request for something you want to obtain, whether it's a physical item (an order) or a favor (a request).
Is 'pedido' the same as 'orden'?
They are often interchangeable in commerce (both mean 'order'). However, 'orden' can also mean 'command' or 'sequence,' while 'pedido' almost exclusively means 'request' or 'order of goods.'