Inklingo

How to Say "they sought" in Spanish

The Spanish word forthey soughtis pidieronA2 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.

English → SpanishA2
VerbA2
formal or literary context
Two children standing politely in front of an adult, holding their hands out slightly to ask for something.

Examples

Ellos pidieron ayuda inmediatamente después del accidente.

They asked for help immediately after the accident.

¿Qué pidieron ustedes para el proyecto?

What did you all request for the project?

Los niños pidieron permiso para salir a jugar.

The children asked permission to go out and play.

It's the Simple Past (Preterite)

This form, 'pidieron,' tells you that a group of people ('ellos,' 'ellas,' or 'ustedes') completed an action—asking or requesting—at a specific point in the past.

The 'e' to 'i' Change

Even though 'pedir' normally has an 'e', in the simple past (preterite) and other tenses, the 'e' changes to 'i' (e.g., pidió, pidieron). This only happens in the 'boot' forms of the verb.

Confusing 'Pedir' and 'Preguntar'

Mistake:Using 'preguntaron' (they asked a question) when you mean 'pidieron' (they asked for a thing).

Correction: 'Pidieron la sal' (They asked for the salt). 'Preguntaron la hora' (They asked the time/a question).

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