preguntar
/pɾeɡunˈtaɾ/
To ask in Spanish is preguntar.
Use preguntar when you are seeking information or asking a question.
Which one should you use?
Use preguntar when you are seeking information or asking a question, rather than requesting an object or a favor. English speakers often mistakenly use preguntar when they mean to request an object or a service, which should be expressed with pedir.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb preguntar typically follows the pattern of asking something (direct object) to someone (indirect object using the preposition 'a'). The pattern is preguntar algo a alguien.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾeɡunˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The phrase preguntar por is used when you are asking for the whereabouts or the health of a person, which is a different usage than simply seeking information.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, asking a direct question about someone's age or salary can be seen as much more intrusive than it would be in English.
- The word preguntar evolved from the Latin verb percontārī, which meant to examine or inquire deeply.
Examples in context
- Es mejor no preguntar.It's better not to ask.Tatoeba #10274484 by manufrutos, translation #10259908 by Polgar1
- ¿Qué me querías preguntar?What did you want to ask me?Tatoeba #4593297 by Shishir, translation #2013081 by CK
- ¿Qué me quieres preguntar?What do you want to ask me?Tatoeba #4593305 by Shishir, translation #1956112 by CK
- ¿Podría hacerme la pregunta?Could you ask me the question?
- Me gustaría preguntarle…I would like to ask you…
- Quisiera saber…I would like to know…
- ¿Me puedes hacer la pregunta?Can you ask me the question?
- Quiero preguntarte…I want to ask you…
- 110 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are at a museum.
- JavierSofía, ¿quieres preguntar algo al guía?Sofía, do you want to ask the guide something?
- SofíaSí, quiero preguntar sobre la pintura.Yes, I want to ask about the painting.
- JavierEstá bien, yo le preguntaré por ti.Okay, I will ask him for you.
- SofíaGracias, Javier, eres muy amable.Thanks, Javier, you are very kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry preguntar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries preguntar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
