hacer preguntas
/aθeɾ pɾeɡuntas/from spelling rules
To ask questions in Spanish is hacer preguntas.
The phrase hacer preguntas is used to describe the act of requesting information by posing a series of queries. When you want to seek information, you might use specific question starters such as ¿Por qué…? (Why…?), ¿Cómo…? (How…?), ¿Cuándo…? (When…?), or ¿Cuál…? (Which…?). To ask about a person, you would use quién (who).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb hacer, which means to make or do and the noun preguntas, which means questions. Literally, it translates to to make questions.
Which one should you use?
While hacer preguntas is a specific phrase meaning to ask questions, the single verb preguntar is used for the more general action of asking or inquiring.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the past tense, you conjugate the verb hacer into forms like hizo (he/she/it asked questions) or hice (I asked questions). For the future tense, the phrase uses the irregular stem har-, as seen in haré preguntas (I will ask questions).
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾ pɾeɡuntas/
Did you know?
- The word hacer evolved from the Old Spanish fazer, which retains the 'f' sound from the Latin facere that disappeared in modern Spanish.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, asking too many questions (hacer demasiadas preguntas) can be seen as an intrusive act of 'interrogating' rather than showing curiosity, depending on the social hierarchy.
- In some formal or legal contexts in Spanish, the act of asking questions during an interrogation is referred to as interrogar, which carries a much more aggressive tone than hacer preguntas.
Examples in context
- No tenga miedo de hacer preguntas.Don't be afraid to ask questions.This sentence is useful for encouraging someone not to be afraid of using hacer preguntas.Tatoeba #745638 by Shishir, translation #265036 by CK
- Su curiosidad lo condujo a hacer preguntas.His curiosity prompted him to ask questions.This sentence shows how curiosity can lead a person to hacer preguntas.Tatoeba #1256486 by marcelostockle, translation #296286 by CM
- El orgullo de Tom no le permite hacer preguntas.Tom's pride won't allow him to ask questions.This sentence illustrates a situation where pride prevents someone from hacer preguntas.Tatoeba #10112819 by manufrutos, translation #10109566 by CK
- ¿Me podría decir dónde se encuentra la oficina del director?Could you tell me where the director's office is located?
- ¿Me puedes decir la hora?Can you tell me the time?
- ¿Dónde vives?Where do you live?
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are in a classroom during a lecture.
- MateoLucía, ¿tienes alguna duda?Lucía, do you have any doubts?
- LucíaNo, pero quiero hacer preguntas al profesor.No, but I want to ask the professor questions.
- MateoEs bueno hacer preguntas en clase.It is good to ask questions in class.
- LucíaSí, así aprendo mucho más.Yes, that way I learn much more.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hacer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
