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A small child reaching out their hand while looking up expectantly at an adult to request a colorful balloon.

pidas

PEE-dahs

verbB1irregular (stem-changing) ir
you ask for?when you want something or a favor
Also:you order?ordering food or drinks at a restaurant,you request?formal applications or official needs

Quick Reference

gerundpidiendo
past Participlepedido
infinitivepedir

📝 In Action

No quiero que pidas pizza otra vez.

B1

I don't want you to order pizza again.

Es mejor que le pidas perdón.

B1

It is better that you ask him/her for forgiveness.

Cuando pidas el favor, sé amable.

B2

When you ask for the favor, be kind.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • solicites (request (formal))
  • demandes (demand)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • pedir prestado – to borrow
  • pedir la cuenta – to ask for the bill
  • pedir permiso – to ask for permission

Idioms & Expressions

  • pedir peras al olmo – to ask for the impossible

💡 Grammar Points

The 'E to I' Swap

In this verb, the middle 'e' changes to an 'i' in this special form (pidas). This is very common for 'ir' verbs when we use them for wishes or commands.

When to use 'Pidas'

Use this form when you want someone else to do something (e.g., 'I want you to ask...') or when giving a negative command ('Don't ask').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Asking for things vs. Asking questions

Mistake: "No quiero que preguntes café."

Correction: No quiero que pidas café. Use 'pedir' when you want an object or a favor; use 'preguntar' only for seeking information or a question.

⭐ Usage Tips

Softening Requests

Using 'pidas' in a sentence starting with 'Te sugiero que...' (I suggest that...) makes your request sound much more polite than a direct command.

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedespidieran
yopidiera
túpidieras
vosotrospidierais
nosotrospidiéramos
él/ella/ustedpidiera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespidan
yopida
túpidas
vosotrospidáis
nosotrospidamos
él/ella/ustedpida

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedespidieron
yopedí
túpediste
vosotrospedisteis
nosotrospedimos
él/ella/ustedpidió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedespedían
yopedía
túpedías
vosotrospedíais
nosotrospedíamos
él/ella/ustedpedía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespiden
yopido
túpides
vosotrospedís
nosotrospedimos
él/ella/ustedpide
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pidas

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'pidas' to say 'I hope you ask for help'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

pedir(to ask for) - verb
pedido(an order / request) - noun
petición(petition / formal request) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't it 'pedas'?

Spanish has a group of verbs called 'stem-changers'. For 'pedir', the 'e' changes to 'i' whenever that syllable is stressed or in specific forms like this one.

Is 'pidas' a command?

It can be! If you say 'No pidas eso' (Don't ask for that), it is a negative command. Otherwise, it is used after expressions of desire or emotion.