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How to Say "i ask" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pregunto

/pre-GOON-toh//pɾeˈɣun.to/

VerbA1General
Use 'pregunto' when you are directly asking a question to someone, seeking information.
A small child standing next to a tall, friendly teacher, with the child looking up and clearly asking a question to the adult.

Examples

Yo pregunto la hora.

I ask for the time.

Si no entiendo, pregunto al profesor.

If I don't understand, I ask the teacher.

Pregunto si podemos empezar ya.

I'm asking if we can start now.

Just 'pregunto' is enough

In Spanish, you can often drop 'yo' (I) because the verb ending '-o' already tells you who is doing the action. So, 'pregunto' means 'I ask' all by itself.

Asking *for* something vs. information

Mistake: “Pregunto por una cerveza.”

Correction: Use 'Pido una cerveza.' Use 'preguntar' to ask for information, but use 'pedir' to request an item or a service.

hago

/AH-go//ˈa.ɣo/

VerbA1General
Use 'hago' specifically when you are 'making' or 'asking' a question as a distinct act, often with the phrase 'una pregunta'.
A student sitting at a desk in a bright classroom, raising their hand eagerly to ask a question.

Examples

Disculpe, ¿hago una pregunta?

Excuse me, may I ask a question?

Siempre hago muchas preguntas en clase.

I always ask a lot of questions in class.

Literal Translation

Mistake: “Saying 'Yo pregunto una pregunta'.”

Correction: While 'preguntar' means 'to ask', you don't use it with the word 'pregunta'. The natural, common way to say 'I ask a question' is 'Hago una pregunta'. It's a set phrase to remember.

Hago vs. Pregunto

Learners often confuse 'hago una pregunta' with simply 'pregunto'. Remember that 'hago' is used more like 'I make a question', while 'pregunto' is the direct verb for 'I ask' information.

Related Translations

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