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"Ask" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "preguntar", and "call for" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "exigir". Learn more about the difference between "ask" and "call for" below.
ask(
ahsk
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to inquire)
2. (to invite)
a. invitar
It takes a lot of guts to ask the most popular girl in school to the dance.Requiere valentía invitar a la chica más popular de la escuela al baile.
3. (to request)
a. pedir
I'm going to ask her to marry me while we are in Hawaii.Voy a pedirle que se case conmigo cuando estemos en Hawai.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
4. (to inquire)
a. preguntar
Are you married, if you don't mind me asking?¿Estás casado? Si me permites que te pregunte.
5. (to request)
a. pedir
How do you know he won't let you borrow his car if you don't ask?¿Cómo sabes que no te prestaría su carro si no se lo pides?
call for(
kal
for
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to demand)
a. exigir
Thousands of people gathered in front of city hall to call for the mayor's resignation.Miles de personas se reunieron delante del ayuntamiento para exigir la dimisión del alcalde.
b. hacer un llamamiento a
In the aftermath of the weekend riots, political leaders have called for calm.Tras los disturbios acontecidos durante el fin de semana, los líderes políticos han hecho un llamamiento a la calma.
a. pedir (shouting)
The demonstrators called for the company to abandon the project.Los manifestantes pedían que la empresa abandonara el proyecto.
3. (to ask for)
4. (to require)
a. requerir
A situation like this calls for speedy action.Una situación como esta requiere acción rápida.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
So you got the job! This calls for a celebration!¡Así que te dieron el trabajo! ¡Esto hay que celebrarlo!
What you said wasn't called for. Apologize at once!Lo que dijiste estuvo de más. Pide disculpas ya mismo.
a. llamar para hablar con
I'm calling for Peter. - I'm sorry, but he's not in right now. Can I take a message?Llamaba para hablar con Peter. - Lo siento, pero no está aquí en este momento. ¿Quieres dejarle algún recado?
a. pasar a buscar
Shall I call for you or do you want to meet at the mall?¿Paso a buscarte o nos vemos en el centro comercial?
b. pasar a recoger
The messenger called for the documents but they weren't ready.El mensajero pasó a recoger los documentos pero no estaban listos.
c. recoger
Julie's friends called for her and they went to the movies.Las amigas de Julie la recogieron y fueron al cine.
b. pronosticar
Forecasters are calling for record temperatures tomorrow.Los meteorólogos pronostican temperaturas récord mañana.
8. (to include)
