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A respectful scene showing a young student standing before an elderly teacher who is seated at a desk, indicating the student is asking the teacher a question.

preguntarle

pre-goon-TAHR-leh

Verb (Infinitive + Pronoun)A1regular ar
to ask him/her/you (formal)?When the person receiving the question is male, female, or an adult/superior you address formally.
Also:to question him/her?More formal or investigative context.

Quick Reference

infinitivepreguntar
gerundpreguntando
past Participlepreguntado

📝 In Action

Necesito preguntarle la hora.

A1

I need to ask him/her/you what time it is.

Antes de irnos, deberíamos preguntarle si quiere venir.

A2

Before leaving, we should ask him/her if they want to come.

Intenté preguntarle, pero estaba ocupado.

B1

I tried to ask him, but he was busy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

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

Common Collocations

  • preguntarle un favor – to ask him/her a favor
  • preguntarle la verdad – to ask him/her the truth

💡 Grammar Points

What 'le' means

The small word le means 'to him,' 'to her,' or 'to you (formal).' It tells you who is receiving the action of the verb.

Pronoun Attachment Rule

When you use the verb in its base form (the infinitive, like preguntar), the pronoun (le) always sticks directly to the end, forming one word: preguntarle. This also happens with the '-ing' form (preguntándole).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Misplacing the Pronoun

Mistake: "Le voy a preguntar."

Correction: Voy a preguntarle. (OR: Le voy a preguntar.)

Confusing 'Le' and 'Lo'

Mistake: "Quiero preguntarlo la respuesta."

Correction: Quiero preguntarle la respuesta.

⭐ Usage Tips

Clarity is Key

Since le can mean 'him,' 'her,' or 'you (formal),' Spanish speakers often add the full name or phrase afterward for clarity: Voy a preguntarle a Juan.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: preguntarle

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'preguntarle'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

preguntar(to ask) - verb
la pregunta(the question) - noun
preguntón(nosy (person)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the pronoun 'le' attached to the end of the verb?

In Spanish, when you use the verb in its base form (the infinitive, or the '-ing' form), pronouns like *le* (him/her/you) and *me* (me) must attach directly to the end of that verb, forming a single word.

Does 'preguntarle' need an accent mark?

Yes, *preguntarle* needs a written accent mark when the 'le' is attached to the gerund (the '-ing' form): *preguntándole* (asking him/her). This is because attaching the pronoun shifts the stress of the word, and the accent mark keeps the original pronunciation.