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"Pedir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to ask for", and "repetir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to do again". Learn more about the difference between "pedir" and "repetir" below.
pedir(
peh
-
deer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to solicit)
b. to ask
No necesitas pedir permiso para ir al baño.You don't have to ask permission to go to the bathroom.
c. to request
Si tienes más de 1,000 puntos, puedes pedir un regalo.If you have more than 1,000 points, you can request a gift.
a. to beg
Había muchos indigentes pidiendo dinero en el metro.There were lots of homeless people begging for money in the metro.
4. (commerce)
b. to ask for (a price)
Están pidiendo $300 por taquilla para el concierto.They're asking $300 per ticket for the concert.
5. (to command)
b. to request
Los clientes pueden pedir en todo momento un libro de reclamaciones.Customers may request a complaints book at any time.
6. (to require)
a. to need
Esta posición pide un mínimo de cinco años de experiencia.This position needs a minimum of five years of work experience.
b. to cry out for
Este cachorro pide atención constantemente.This puppy is constantly crying out for attention.
8. (legal)
a. to ask for
El acusado le pidió al juez una sentencia más corta.The defendant asked the judge for a shorter sentence.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to order
¿Me da un minuto, por favor? Aún no sé lo que voy a pedir.Would you give me another minute, please? I still don't know what I'm going to order.
10. (religious)
a. to pray
Mi abuela siempre pedía por cada uno de sus nietos.My grandmother used to pray for each and every one of her grandchildren.
pedirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
11. (to claim)
a. to call dibs on (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Me pido el asiento delantero!I call dibs on the front seat!
b. to bag (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Alguien ya se había pedido la mesa de la ventana.Someone had already bagged the table by the window.
a. to order oneself
Voy a pedirme un café. ¿Quieres algo?I'm going to order myself a coffee. Do you want something?
repetir(
rreh
-
peh
-
teer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to redo)
a. to do again
El perro se comió mis deberes, y ahora tengo que repetirlos.The dog ate my homework and now I have to do it again.
a. to repeat
Solo lo diré una vez así que no me pidan que lo repita.I'll only say it once so don't ask me to repeat myself.
3. (to imitate)
a. to repeat
Mi hijo pequeño repite todo lo que su hermano dice.My younger son repeats everything his brother says.
4. (to retake)
a. to repeat
Si tu asistencia no mejora, tendrás que repetir el año.If your attendance does not improve, you will need to repeat the year.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
6. (to affect)
a. to have an aftertaste
Los pepinos no repiten si los pelas antes de comerlos.Cucumbers don't have an aftertaste if you remove the skin before eating them.
b. to repeat on (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
No puedo comer ajo porque me repite.I can't eat garlic because it repeats on me.
a. to burp
Su marido siempre repite durante nuestra cena familiar. ¡Qué asco!Her husband always burps during our family dinner. How disgusting!
repetirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to recur
Esas fases se repiten cada cinco años por término medio.These phases recur every five years on average.
