Common errors in Spanish: ask: "preguntar" or "pedir"
Students have a hard time with this one since they tend to think "ask" in English and then use whichever of the two Spanish verbs that come to mind first. The basic difference is:
preguntar = ask a question that you want an answer to
pedir = ask someone to give you something or do something (frequently "ask for")
Some examples:
Spanish - preguntar
1. Pregúntame lo que quieras.
2. Me preguntó dónde vivo.
3. Juan preguntó por ti anoche.
4. No me lo preguntes otra vez - estoy cansado de la misma pregunta una y otra vez.
English - preguntar
1. Ask me anything you'd like.
2. He asked me where I live.
3. Juan asked about you last night.
4. Don't ask me again - I'm tired of the same question over and over.
Spanish - pedir
1. Pídeme lo que quieras.
2. Me pidió que fuera con ella.
3. Juan me pidió más dinero anoche.
4. No me pidas más - estoy cansado de darte cosas.
English - pedir
1. Ask me for anything you want.
2. She asked me to go with her.
3. Juan asked me for more money last night.
4. Don't ask me for anything else - I'm tired of giving you things.
Brad
