pedir
/peˈdiɾ/
To ask for is pedir in Spanish.
Pedir is used when you want to obtain an object, information or a favor. It is important to distinguish this from preguntar, which is used specifically for asking questions.
Meaning: request (verb)
Which one should you use?
The word pedido/a is the past participle and can be used as an adjective to describe something that has been ordered or requested.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb pedir is irregular in the present tense, as the stem changes from 'e' to 'i' in most forms: pido, pides, pide, pedimos, pedís, piden. When you are asking for something from a person, you use the construction pedir algo a alguien, placing the preposition a before the person you are asking.
How do you pronounce it?
/peˈdiɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, you can pedir cuentas to someone, which means to hold them accountable or demand an explanation for their actions.
- In certain Spanish-speaking regions, a person who is constantly 'asking for' things without giving anything back is colloquially described as a pedigüeño.
- The phrase pedir la palabra literally means to 'ask for the word' but is the formal way to request a turn to speak during a meeting or debate.
Examples in context
- Tom no pedirá ayuda.Tom won't ask for help.This sentence shows the use of pedir in the future tense to express asking for help.Tatoeba #2846842 by teskmon, translation #2546317 by CK
- Iba a pedir un voluntario.I was going to ask for a volunteer.This sentence uses pedir to describe the intention of asking for a volunteer.Tatoeba #2532446 by Shishir, translation #2531351 by CK
- ¿Qué más podría uno pedir?What more could one ask for?This sentence demonstrates using pedir in a rhetorical context to ask what more one could want.Tatoeba #4481229 by pchamorro, translation #3271534 by CM
- Le pido que me ayude con esto.I ask you to help me with this.
- Le solicito una reunión para discutir este asunto.I request a meeting to discuss this matter.
- El banco solicita sus documentos para procesar el préstamo.The bank requests your documents to process the loan.
- Voy a preguntar por el director.I'm going to ask for the director.
- Me preguntaron por ti en la oficina.They asked for you at the office.
- Le pedí dinero a mi hermano.I asked my brother for money.
- Pídele permiso a tus padres antes de salir.Ask your parents for permission before going out.
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are at a cafe.
- ElenaJavier, ¿puedes pedir la carta?Javier, can you ask for the menu?
- JavierSí, voy a pedir la carta ahora.Yes, I am going to ask for the menu now.
- ElenaGracias, yo pediré los postres después.Thanks, I will ask for the desserts later.
- JavierMe parece bien, Elena.That sounds good to me, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ask for” translations and entries pedir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
