What is the difference between "pedir" and "preguntar" ?

Question

What's the difference? Can they be used interchangeably?

Answer 1

"pedir" and the English "petition" come from the same root (to request something). "preguntar" is "to query". "ask" can be used in both senses (which can lead to confusion).

I think cuestionar is to query to argue a point etc, whereas the verb preguntar is used to ask a question. - kenwilliams, Jan 21, 2010

I wouldn't use "query" to mean to "argue a point". (though I could use "cuestionar"). I was trying to avoid "preguntar una pregunta" which sound really ugly. - samdie, Jan 21, 2010

To me "query" means "to pose a question" rather than "to take exception to" / "to dispute". - samdie, Jan 21, 2010

Answer 2

They are very similar. Pedir is more specifically to request where preguntar is to ask. You would use pedir in a restaurant when ordering. I don't think that preguntar is used an awful lot in regular conversations.

Answer 3

pedir is to reequest when you go to the restaurant you start ordering so you start requesting so you start pidiendo

preguntar is to get a question and try to get the answer from a receptor

vote me hans

Answer 4

Yes you are right Luisa and I have altered it but Q what are you trying to say? If I ask you what your name is well that is a question from me to you una pregunta and not una cuestión.The verb cuestionar means to question or dispute something, not the same as asking a question to sum up: He cuestionado tu respuesta, I have questioned your comment on my post. Regards Ken.

Answer 5

Quiero pedir una cita con el medico. I want an appointment with the doctor, that is a request that you have just made with reception at the health centre. ¿Usted cómo se llama? that of course is a question una pregunta.

Una pregunta. - LuisaGomezBartle, Jan 21, 2010

se llama (una cuestión) - 0074b507, Jan 21, 2010

Answer 6

Pedir is more like you're asking someone to give you something, and preguntar is more like a general question.