Inklingo

How to Say "inquiry" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pregunta

pre-GOON-tahpɾeˈɣun.ta

nounA1general
Use 'pregunta' when you are asking a direct question to someone, similar to 'a question' in English.
A small, curious child with a thoughtful expression looking up at a large, wise owl, symbolizing the act of forming or having a question.

Examples

Tengo una pregunta para la profesora.

I have a question for the teacher.

La pregunta del examen era muy difícil.

The exam question was very difficult.

Esa es una buena pregunta; necesito pensar en la respuesta.

That's a good question; I need to think about the answer.

Making a Question

In Spanish, you don't 'ask' a question with a single verb. Instead, you 'make' one. The most common phrase is 'hacer una pregunta'.

Confusing 'pregunta' and 'cuestión'

Mistake: “Tengo una cuestión: ¿dónde está el baño?”

Correction: Tengo una pregunta: ¿dónde está el baño? Use 'pregunta' for a direct question. 'Cuestión' is more like an 'issue' or 'matter' to be discussed, e.g., 'la cuestión del medio ambiente' (the issue of the environment).

consulta

kohn-SOOL-tahkonˈsulta

nounB1formal/technical
Use 'consulta' when referring to a request for information from a system, database, or a professional, like a doctor or lawyer.
A storybook illustration showing a simplified figure holding a large magnifying glass and closely examining details on an open, oversized book, symbolizing a search for information.

Examples

La base de datos permite hasta 50 consultas por minuto.

The database allows up to 50 queries per minute.

Enviamos una consulta al departamento legal sobre el nuevo contrato.

We sent an inquiry to the legal department about the new contract.

Formal Usage

This meaning of 'consulta' is often used in written or official communications, meaning 'a formal question' or 'a data request.' It feels more official than 'pregunta'.

encuesta

en-KWES-tahenˈkwesta

nounB1formal
Choose 'encuesta' for a formal investigation or study, typically involving collecting data from a group of people, like a survey or poll.
A friendly person holding a clipboard and a pencil, checking off items while talking to another person in a park.

Examples

Hicimos una encuesta en la escuela sobre la comida de la cafetería.

We did a survey at school about the cafeteria food.

Según la última encuesta, el candidato tiene mucha ventaja.

According to the latest poll, the candidate has a big lead.

Los resultados de la encuesta de opinión fueron sorprendentes.

The results of the opinion poll were surprising.

Always Feminine

Even if the survey is for men or about a masculine topic, the word itself is always 'la encuesta' or 'una encuesta'.

Verbs to use

To say 'to take a survey,' use 'hacer' (to do) or 'realizar' (to carry out). Don't say 'tomar una encuesta,' as that sounds like a literal translation from English.

Encuesta vs. Entrevista

Mistake: “Using 'entrevista' when you mean a written survey.”

Correction: Use 'encuesta' for data collection from many people. Use 'entrevista' (interview) for a deep conversation with just one person.

Surveying as an action

Mistake: “Yo encuesta a la gente.”

Correction: Yo encuesto a la gente. Remember that 'encuesta' is the thing (the noun), but 'encuestar' is the action (the verb).

Asking a question vs. conducting a survey

Learners often confuse 'pregunta' and 'encuesta'. Remember that 'pregunta' is for a single, direct question asked to a person. 'Encuesta' is for a formal process of gathering information from multiple people, like a survey or questionnaire.

Related Translations

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