me preguntaba
/me pɾeɡuntaba/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "I was wondering" is expressed as me preguntaba.
me preguntaba is a polite way to introduce a request or a question. By using the imperfect tense instead of the present tense, you create a sense of distance that softens the inquiry or request, making it sound more polite and less direct.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally "I was asking myself". Here, me is the reflexive pronoun and preguntaba is the imperfect tense of the verb preguntar, which means to ask.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use me preguntaba to introduce a 'yes/no' question, such as "I was wondering if you could…", it is most commonly followed by the conjunction si. If you are introducing an open-ended question, follow the phrase with an interrogative word such as qué (what), por qué (why) or cómo (how).
How do you pronounce it?
/me pɾeɡuntaba/
Examples in context
- Me preguntaba si podrías ayudarme.I was wondering if you could help me.This sentence is useful for practicing a request using me preguntaba.Tatoeba #6627357 by UsuarioX, translation #34680 by CK
- Me preguntaba por qué llegaste temprano.I was wondering why you came early.This sentence shows how to use the phrase with an open-ended question using me preguntaba.Tatoeba #2850978 by cueyayotl, translation #2641737 by CK
- Me preguntaba si me dejarías quedarme contigo un par de días.I was wondering if you'd let me stay with you for a few days.This sentence demonstrates using the phrase to introduce a 'yes/no' question with me preguntaba.Tatoeba #1120243 by Shishir, translation #53402 by CK
- Me preguntaba si podríamos agendar una reuniónI was wondering if we could schedule a meeting
- Quisiera saber si ha recibido mi correo electrónicoI was wondering if you have received my email
- Me gustaría averiguar si hay alguna novedad en el proyectoI was wondering if there is any update on the project
- Estaba pensando si podríamos quedar hoy por la tardeI was wondering if we could meet up this afternoon
- Andaba con la duda si le gustaría venir a la fiestaI was wondering if you would like to come to the party
- Tenía curiosidad por saber si has probado la comida mexicanaI was wondering if you have tried Mexican food
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are talking in a quiet cafe.
- DanielSofía, me preguntaba si podías ayudarme con este reporte.Sofía, I was wondering if you could help me with this report.
- SofíaClaro, Daniel, ¿qué necesitas exactamente?Of course, Daniel, what exactly do you need?
- DanielSolo necesito revisar los datos finales.I only need to check the final data.
- SofíaNo hay problema, lo hacemos ahora mismo.No problem, we will do it right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
