preguntándose
/pɾeɡuntandose/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for wondering is preguntándose.
The term describes being full of questioning and consideration. For a more formal way to express the sentiment "I would like to know", you can use Quisiera saber.
Meaning: full of questioning and consideration (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word preguntándose is a combination of the gerund preguntando (asking) and the reflexive pronoun se (himself/herself/itself/themselves).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase preguntándose is the gerund form of the reflexive verb preguntarse, which is used to express the act of wondering to oneself.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾeɡuntandose/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often omit the reflexive pronoun se and use preguntando instead of preguntándose, which changes the meaning from 'wondering (to oneself)' to simply 'asking (someone else)'.
Did you know?
- A common mistake for learners is using preguntarse when they actually mean 'to wonder' as in 'to marvel', which is a false friend.
- When expressing 'wonder' as in 'no wonder', Spanish speakers don't use preguntarse but instead use the phrase no es extraño, meaning 'it is not strange'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, expressing 'wondering' via preguntarse can sometimes sound more intense or inquisitive than the soft English 'wondering'.
Examples in context
- Tom estuvo tumbado despierto durante un rato largo preguntándose que debería hacer.Tom lay awake for a long time wondering about what he should do.Tatoeba #2769571 by teskmon, translation #1093312 by CK
- Me preguntaba si podríamos reunirnos para discutir el proyectoI was wondering if we could meet to discuss the project
- Quisiera saber si tiene disponibilidad para la próxima semanaI would like to know if you have availability for next week
- Estaba pensando si podríamos salir a cenar esta nocheI was thinking if we could go out for dinner tonight
- ¿Sabes qué? Me pregunto si alguna vez visitaremos ese hermoso lugar juntosDo you know what? I wonder if we will ever visit that beautiful place together
- Me preguntaba si podríamos contar con su presencia en nuestra próxima conferenciaI was wondering if we could count on your presence at our upcoming conference
- Él se quedó allí preguntándose qué había pasado.He stayed there wondering what had happened.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing a mysterious letter.
- LucíaMira esta carta, me dejó preguntándose quién la escribió.Look at this letter, it left me wondering who wrote it.
- MateoEs muy extraño, yo también me lo pregunto.It's very strange, I wonder that too.
- LucíaMe pasé toda la noche preguntándose el motivo.I spent the whole night wondering about the motive.
- MateoQuizás deberíamos preguntar a alguien más, Lucía.Maybe we should ask someone else, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
