chiedo

Chiedo is the first-person singular present indicative form of the Italian verb chiedere, meaning to ask or to request. The infinitive is chiedere, and the verb belongs to the -ere conjugation class. In the present tense the forms are io chiedo, tu chiedi, lui/lei chiede; noi chiediamo, voi chiedete, loro chiedono. The passato prossimo is ho chiesto; the imperfect is chiedevo; the future is chiederò. The present subjunctive is che io chieda, and the imperative forms include chiedi (tu) and chieda (Lei).

Chiedo is commonly used to make direct requests, ask questions, or seek permission. Examples include “Chiedo scusa” (I apologise), “Le chiedo scusa” (I apologise to you, formal), and “Chiedo il permesso di entrare” (I ask for permission to enter). In everyday conversation, one might say “Posso chiedere qualcosa?” or “Potrei chiedere un favore?” to introduce a request more politely. In formal writing or speech, phrases such as “La prego di…” and “Le chiedo gentilmente di…” are typical.

Etymology and related forms: chiedere derives from Latin quaerere, a root common to several Romance languages for the verb “to ask.” The form chiedo specifically is tied to the subject pronoun io (I) in the present tense. The verb appears in many fixed expressions and is a staple in polite and transactional Italian speech.