How to Say "i beg" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “i beg” is “pido” — use 'pido' when you are making a general request for help or something you need, similar to 'I ask for'. It's the most common and versatile option..
pido
/pee-doh//ˈpi.ðo/
Examples
Pido tu ayuda para terminar este trabajo.
I ask for your help to finish this job.
Pido disculpas por llegar tarde a la reunión.
I ask for forgiveness (I apologize) for arriving late to the meeting.
Si pido permiso, ¿crees que me dejen ir?
If I ask for permission, do you think they'll let me go?
Pedir vs. Preguntar
Use 'pedir' when asking FOR something (an object, help, permission). Use 'preguntar' when asking A QUESTION (information).
Irregular Stem Change
This verb is special: the vowel 'e' in the middle changes to 'i' in most forms, like in 'pido' and 'pide'. However, it goes back to 'e' for the 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros) forms in the present tense (pedimos, pedís).
ruego
/RWEH-goh//ˈrwe.ɣo/
Examples
Yo ruego por tu salud cada noche.
I pray for your health every night.
Te ruego que me escuches antes de decidir.
I beg you to listen to me before deciding.
No ruego por cosas materiales, solo por paz.
I don't ask for material things, only for peace.
The O > UE Change
The verb 'rogar' is stem-changing: the 'o' turns into 'ue' in most forms of the present tense (like 'ruego', 'ruegas', 'ruega'), but NOT in the 'nosotros' or 'vosotros' forms ('rogamos', 'rogáis').
Spelling Change in Subjunctive
To keep the hard 'g' sound, the verb changes 'g' to 'gu' whenever it is followed by the letter 'e' (like in the present subjunctive: 'ruegue', 'roguemos').
Using 'rogar' with the Subjunctive
When you use 'rogar' to ask someone else to do something, the second verb must take the special form (the subjunctive): 'Te ruego que vengas pronto' (I beg you to come soon).
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: “Yo rogo (instead of ruego)”
Correction: Always use 'ruego' in the 'yo' form. The 'o' changes to 'ue'.
suplico
/soo-PLEE-koh//suˈpliko/
Examples
Te suplico que me escuches, es la última vez que lo pido.
I beg you to listen to me; this is the last time I ask.
Suplico a mis padres que me permitan ir al viaje.
I implore my parents to allow me to go on the trip.
Suplico clemencia por mis errores pasados.
I plead for clemency for my past mistakes.
Verbs Ending in -car
The verb 'suplicar' (to beg) must maintain its hard 'k' sound. When the ending starts with 'e' (like in the preterite 'yo' form or the whole present subjunctive), the 'c' changes to 'qu'. This is a very common pattern for all -car verbs!
Stronger than 'Pedir'
Use 'suplico' when you are making a request under extreme emotional distress or formality. It shows desperation, whereas 'pido' is just a normal request.
Confusing Formality
Mistake: “Suplico un vaso de agua. (I beg for a glass of water.)”
Correction: Pido un vaso de agua. ('Suplico' is too intense for a simple request like water, unless you are dying of thirst in the desert!)
Overusing 'Suplico' for simple requests
Related Translations
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