pides
“pides” means “you ask for” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
you ask for, you request
Also: you beg
📝 In Action
¿Qué pides para tu cumpleaños?
A1What are you asking for for your birthday?
Si pides ayuda, te la daré.
A2If you ask for help, I will give it to you.
you order
Also: you command
📝 In Action
¿Qué pides de postre cuando vas a ese restaurante?
A1What do you order for dessert when you go to that restaurant?
Si pides la pizza ahora, estará lista en veinte minutos.
A2If you order the pizza now, it will be ready in twenty minutes.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: pides
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'pides' in the sense of asking for information?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The verb 'pedir' comes from the Latin verb *petere*, which meant 'to seek, aim at, or request.' This explains why 'pides' involves actively seeking or requesting something.
First recorded: Before 1000 AD (in its Latin root)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I should use 'pides' or 'preguntas'?
'Pides' is for getting something physical (food, money, a favor, a book). 'Preguntas' is for getting information or an answer (a question about the time, a doubt, a direction).
Is 'pides' formal or informal?
'Pides' is the informal form (tú). If you are speaking formally to someone you don't know well or someone older, you should use 'pide' (the usted form).