pidieron
/pee-dee-EH-ron/
they asked for
The image shows two children making a polite request, illustrating the meaning "they asked for."
pidieron(Verb)
they asked for
?to make a request
,you all requested
?formal plural address
they sought
?formal or literary context
📝 In Action
Ellos pidieron ayuda inmediatamente después del accidente.
A2They asked for help immediately after the accident.
¿Qué pidieron ustedes para el proyecto?
B1What did you all request for the project?
Los niños pidieron permiso para salir a jugar.
A2The children asked permission to go out and play.
💡 Grammar Points
It's the Simple Past (Preterite)
This form, 'pidieron,' tells you that a group of people ('ellos,' 'ellas,' or 'ustedes') completed an action—asking or requesting—at a specific point in the past.
The 'e' to 'i' Change
Even though 'pedir' normally has an 'e', in the simple past (preterite) and other tenses, the 'e' changes to 'i' (e.g., pidió, pidieron). This only happens in the 'boot' forms of the verb.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Pedir' and 'Preguntar'
Mistake: "Using 'preguntaron' (they asked a question) when you mean 'pidieron' (they asked for a thing)."
Correction: 'Pidieron la sal' (They asked for the salt). 'Preguntaron la hora' (They asked the time/a question).
⭐ Usage Tips
Object Needed
'Pedir' almost always needs to be followed by the thing that was asked for (e.g., money, permission, food). If you don't mention what was asked for, the sentence feels incomplete.
Customers pointing at a menu to place their selection depicts the meaning "they ordered."
pidieron(Verb)
they ordered
?food, drinks, or products
they placed an order for
?commerce/delivery
📝 In Action
Ellas pidieron dos pizzas grandes y una ensalada.
B1They ordered two large pizzas and a salad.
Los clientes pidieron la cuenta hace diez minutos.
B1The customers asked for the check ten minutes ago.
💡 Grammar Points
Specific Past Action
'Pidieron' is perfect for describing a single, finished action, like ordering a meal in a restaurant last night.
⭐ Usage Tips
Ordering vs. Paying
Use 'pidieron' when they told the waiter what they wanted. Use 'pagaron' (they paid) when they handled the bill.
The unified, forceful gesture of the group illustrates the meaning "they demanded."
pidieron(Verb)
they demanded
?strong request, often political or legal
they required
?stating a necessary condition
📝 In Action
Los manifestantes pidieron la renuncia del presidente.
B2The protesters demanded the president's resignation.
Las autoridades pidieron que se investigara el caso a fondo.
C1The authorities required that the case be investigated thoroughly.
💡 Grammar Points
Triggering the Subjunctive
When 'pidieron' is used to demand or require an action from someone else, the verb that follows often needs the special verb form (subjunctive): 'Pidieron que viera la evidencia' (They demanded that I see the evidence).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pidieron
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'pidieron' in the sense of 'ordering food'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'pidieron' irregular, and where does the 'i' come from?
The base verb 'pedir' has an 'e' that changes to an 'i' in specific conjugations, including the simple past (preterite). This 'e to i' change is a pattern found in many Spanish 'ir' verbs, especially when the stress falls elsewhere in the word, causing the vowel sound to shift.
What is the difference between 'pidieron' and 'preguntaron'?
'Pidieron' is used when someone asks for a physical thing (money, food, permission) or demands an action. 'Preguntaron' is used when someone asks a question or asks for information (e.g., 'They asked the time').