preguntas
/pre-GOON-tass/
questions
As a noun, preguntas means 'questions' (plural). The child is presenting multiple items requiring explanation.
📝 In Action
Tengo dos preguntas para ti.
A1I have two questions for you.
El profesor siempre anima a los estudiantes a hacer preguntas.
A2The teacher always encourages students to ask questions.
Sus preguntas eran muy difíciles de contestar.
B1His questions were very difficult to answer.
💡 Grammar Points
Making Nouns Plural
This is the plural form of 'pregunta'. To make most Spanish words that end in a vowel plural, you just add an '-s', like this!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Asking Questions vs. Asking For Things
Mistake: "Quiero preguntar un café."
Correction: To ask a question, use 'hacer una pregunta' or 'preguntar'. To ask FOR something, use 'pedir'. The right way is: 'Quiero pedir un café' (I want to ask for/order a coffee).
⭐ Usage Tips
Checking for Understanding
A very common phrase you'll hear from teachers or speakers is '¿Preguntas?' or '¿Alguna pregunta?'. Both mean 'Any questions?' and are your cue to ask if you're unsure about something.
As a verb, preguntas is the 'tú' (informal you) form of 'to ask,' meaning 'you ask.'
📝 In Action
Tú siempre preguntas cosas interesantes.
A1You always ask interesting things.
¿Me preguntas a mí o a él?
A2Are you asking me or him?
Si no sabes la respuesta, ¿por qué no preguntas?
A2If you don't know the answer, why don't you ask?
💡 Grammar Points
The 'You' Form for '-ar' Verbs
'Preguntas' is the present-tense form of 'preguntar' (to ask) for 'tú' (the informal 'you'). For regular verbs ending in -ar, you just drop the '-ar' and add '-as'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Formal vs. Informal 'You'
Mistake: "Señor López, ¿tú preguntas algo? (Using the informal 'tú' form with someone you should be formal with.)"
Correction: When speaking to someone formally (like a teacher, a boss, or an older person), use the 'usted' form. The right way is: 'Señor López, ¿usted pregunta algo?'
⭐ Usage Tips
Dropping the 'Tú'
In Spanish, you can often leave out the word 'tú' because the '-as' ending on 'preguntas' already tells you who is doing the asking. Saying '¿Preguntas algo?' is perfectly natural.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: preguntas
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'preguntas' as a verb (meaning 'you ask')?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'preguntar' and 'pedir'?
Great question! Use 'preguntar' when you are asking FOR information (asking a question). Use 'pedir' when you are asking FOR something, like an object or a favor. For example, 'Pregunto qué hora es' (I ask what time it is), but 'Pido un café' (I ask for a coffee).
How do I know if 'preguntas' means 'questions' or 'you ask'?
Look at the other words in the sentence! If you see a word like 'las', 'mis', or a number before it (like 'dos preguntas'), it's the noun 'questions'. If it follows 'tú' or seems to be the main action of the sentence, it's the verb 'you ask'.