pregunta al azar
/pɾeɡunta al aθaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "random question" is translated into Spanish as pregunta al azar.
pregunta al azar refers to a question that is asked without a specific plan or connection to the ongoing conversation. In casual conversation, speakers often use the idiomatic expression una pregunta así de la nada to describe a question that comes out of nowhere.
Which one should you use?
While al azar is more common for conversational contexts, the adjective 'aleatoria' can also be used to mean 'random' in a more technical or mathematical sense. In Spain, Pregunta sin ton ni son is an expression meaning "question without rhyme or reason".
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾeɡunta al aθaɾ/
Did you know?
- The English word 'hazard' is a distant linguistic relative of the Spanish word azar. Both words trace their lineage back to the same Arabic roots involving games of chance.
- While al azar is used for randomness in general, using the word aleatoria to describe a social question may make you sound like a computer scientist or mathematician.
Examples in context
- Fue solo una pregunta al azar.It was just a random question.
- No es nada importante, es una pregunta al azar.It is nothing important, it is a random question.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are sitting in a cafe during a break.
- SofíaJavier, te hago una pregunta al azar.Javier, I'm asking you a random question.
- JavierClaro, dime, Sofía.Sure, tell me, Sofía.
- Sofía¿Cuál es tu color favorito?What is your favorite color?
- JavierEl azul, ¿por qué lo preguntas?Blue, why do you ask?
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries azar, pregunta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
