no pregunté
/no pɾeɡunte/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I didn't ask" is translated into Spanish as no pregunté.
no pregunté is used to state that the speaker did not request information regarding a specific topic. In conversational contexts, it can be used dismissively to imply that the information being provided was unsolicited.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the negation no and the first-person singular preterite (past tense) form of the verb preguntar, which means "to ask". Literally, it translates to "not I asked".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the first-person singular preterite of the verb preguntar.
How do you pronounce it?
/no pɾeɡunte/
Did you know?
- The word preguntar is often confused by beginners with pedir, but in Spanish, you cannot use preguntar if you are asking for a physical object, only for information.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying no pregunté can be perceived as significantly more aggressive or rude than the English 'I didn't ask'.
- To be even more dismissive, a speaker might say ¿quién te ha preguntado?, which literally means 'who has asked you?' rather than stating they didn't ask.
Examples in context
- No pregunté por ti.I didn't ask for you.This example shows how to use no pregunté when expressing that one did not ask for someone.Tatoeba #7284566 by UsuarioX, translation #2275819 by CK
- Yo no pregunté.I didn't ask.This sentence demonstrates the standalone use of no pregunté.Tatoeba #6031426 by albrusgher, translation #2245684 by CK
- No pregunté por tus problemas personales, así que no los menciones.I didn't ask about your personal problems, so don't mention them.
- No pedí tu opinión, así que guárdala para otra ocasión.I didn't ask for your opinion, so keep it for another time.
- No pregunté nada sobre el precio.I didn't ask anything about the price.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are discussing a misunderstanding about a party.
- Mateo¿Por qué sabes que ella viene?Why do you know she is coming?
- SofíaMe lo contó tu hermana.Your sister told me.
- MateoYo no pregunté nada.I didn't ask anything.
- SofíaLo siento, Mateo.I'm sorry, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
