Spanish · Everyday Verbs
"to ask" in Spanish: preguntar
preguntar
Note: to ask for: pedir
To ask in Spanish is preguntar. Say yo pregunto and te pregunto algo. Pedir means ask for an object or favor, not ask a question.
How to pronounce preguntar: audio and sound guideClass
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How to pronounce preguntar
Say it
preh-goon-TAHR / preh-GOON-toh
/pɾe.ɣun.ˈtaɾ/
preh-goon-TAHR. Yo pregunto is preh-GOON-toh. Soft g before u.
"to ask" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| preguntar | to ask (a question) Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| yo pregunto | I ask Present first person. | Present first person. |
| te pregunto | I ask you With object pronoun. | With object pronoun. |
| una pregunta | a question Related noun. | Related noun. |
| pedir | to ask for / request Different verb for requests. | Different verb for requests. |
How to use preguntar in real life
- 1Class
Profesora, ¿puedo preguntar algo?
Teacher, may I ask something?
Preguntar for questions.
- 2Directions
Voy a preguntar en la recepción.
I'm going to ask at reception.
Preguntar + place.
- 3Friend check-in
Te pregunto porque me preocupas.
I ask you because I'm worried about you.
Te pregunto is personal.
Mistakes English speakers make with preguntar
Incorrect: Yo pedir una pregunta.
Correct: Yo hago una pregunta. / Yo pregunto.
Questions use preguntar or hacer una pregunta, not pedir.
Incorrect: Yo preguntar ahora.
Correct: Yo pregunto ahora.
Conjugate: yo pregunto.
Good to know
Good to knowPreguntar is for questions. Pedir is for requesting things (pedir la cuenta, pedir ayuda). English ask covers both, so beginners often mix them. Tengo una pregunta is a polite classroom opener.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Before a presentation
ChatPal
¿Puedo preguntar sobre tu parte?
Can I ask about your part?
You
Claro. Pregúntame lo que quieras.
Sure. Ask me whatever you want.
ChatPal
Te pregunto solo una cosa.
I'll ask you just one thing.
You
Dime. Tengo dos minutos.
Tell me. I have two minutes.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to ask" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to ask" in Spanish
Preguntar vs pedir?
Preguntar = ask a question; pedir = ask for something.
How do I say I ask?
Yo pregunto.
May I ask something?
¿Puedo preguntar algo?
How do you pronounce preguntar?
preh-goon-TAHR, stress on TAHR.
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