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"Cuestionar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to question", and "preguntar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to ask". Learn more about the difference between "cuestionar" and "preguntar" below.
cuestionar(
kwehs
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tyoh
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nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to question
No tenemos ninguna evidencia que nos permita cuestionar la decisión del juez.We have no evidence to question the judge's decision.
2. (to doubt)
a. to question
Yo le creí. No tenía por qué cuestionar su sinceridad.I believed him. I had no reason to question his honesty.
cuestionarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to question
Lo que pasó hizo a Tomás cuestionarse si de verdad la amaba.What happened made Tomas question whether he really loved her.
b. to ask oneself
Me he estado cuestionando qué es lo que quiero hacer con mi vida.I have been asking myself what it is I want do with my life.
preguntar(
preh
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goon
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tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to ask
Por favor, pregunte a su hija si vendrá a la cena.Please, ask your daughter if she is coming for dinner.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to ask about
Si pregunta por el libro, dile que está en la biblioteca.If she asks about the book, tell her it's at the library.
preguntarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
