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preguntar

preh-goon-TAHR/pɾe.ɣunˈtaɾ/

“preguntar” means “to ask” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to ask

Also: to inquire
VerbA1regular ar
A small child leaning forward to ask a question to an older person wearing an apron.
infinitivepreguntar
gerundpreguntando
past Participlepreguntado

📝 In Action

Necesito preguntar algo al profesor sobre la tarea.

A1

I need to ask the teacher something about the homework.

¿Qué hora es? Siempre pregunto la misma cosa.

A1

What time is it? I always ask the same thing.

Ella preguntó por su salud después de la operación.

A2

She asked about his health after the operation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • consultar (to consult)
  • interrogar (to interrogate (formal))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • preguntar la dirección – to ask for directions
  • preguntar la hora – to ask the time

to wonder

Also: to question (oneself)
VerbB1regular (used reflexively) ar
A lone person sitting on a grassy hill, resting their chin on their hand while looking thoughtfully at the sky.
infinitivepreguntarse
gerundpreguntándose
past Participlepreguntado

📝 In Action

Me pregunto si el tren llegará a tiempo hoy.

B1

I wonder if the train will arrive on time today.

Ella se preguntaba si había tomado la decisión correcta.

B2

She wondered if she had made the correct decision.

Nos preguntamos por qué actuó así.

B2

We asked ourselves why he acted like that.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedpregunta
yopregunto
túpreguntas
ellos/ellas/ustedespreguntan
nosotrospreguntamos
vosotrospreguntáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedpreguntaba
yopreguntaba
túpreguntabas
ellos/ellas/ustedespreguntaban
nosotrospreguntábamos
vosotrospreguntabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedpreguntó
yopregunté
túpreguntaste
ellos/ellas/ustedespreguntaron
nosotrospreguntamos
vosotrospreguntasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedpregunte
yopregunte
túpreguntes
ellos/ellas/ustedespregunten
nosotrospreguntemos
vosotrospreguntéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedpreguntara
yopreguntara
túpreguntaras
ellos/ellas/ustedespreguntaran
nosotrospreguntáramos
vosotrospreguntarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "preguntar" in Spanish:

to ask→to inquire→to wonder→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: preguntar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses the word 'preguntar'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
la pregunta(question, inquiry) — Noun
preguntón/preguntona(nosy (person)) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin verb *praecunctārī*, which meant to 'delay, hesitate, or inquire beforehand.' The root idea of seeking information has been preserved, evolving simply into 'to ask' in modern Spanish.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: perguntarFrench: questionner (related idea)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'preguntar' and 'pedir'?

'Preguntar' is used exclusively for asking questions or requesting information. 'Pedir' is used for asking for a physical object, a favor, permission, or a service.

How do I say 'to ask for someone' in Spanish?

You use the structure 'preguntar por [person/thing]'. For example, 'El jefe preguntó por ti' means 'The boss asked for you' (meaning he inquired about your whereabouts or welfare).