pedir

Pedir is a Spanish verb that means to ask for, to request, or to order something, and can also mean to beg in more formal or literary contexts. It requires a direct object for what is requested and, when the requester is another person, an indirect object or the preposition a: “pido un vaso de agua” (I ask for a glass of water) versus “le pido dinero a mi vecino” (I ask my neighbor for money). Common expressions include pedir la cuenta (to ask for the bill), pedir comida (to order food), pedir un favor, pedir permiso, and pedir disculpas.

Conjugation and formality: pedir is irregular and shows an e → i stem change in the present tense (pido, pides, pide; pedimos, pedís, piden). In the preterite the stem changes to pid- (pedí, pediste, pidió, pedimos, pedisteis, pidieron). The imperfect is regular (pedía, pedías, pedía, pedíamos, pedíais, pedían). The present subjunctive forms are pida, pidas, pida, pidamos, pidáis, pidan. The imperative forms are pide (tú), pida (usted), pidamos, pidan; with negative tú: no pidas.

Etymology and usage notes: pedir derives from Latin petere, via Vulgar Latin, with the modern form incorporating a dental element. It contrasts with preguntar, which means to ask a question rather than to request something. Pedir can pair with reflexive or clitic pronouns for indirect objects, and is used with phrases like pedir prestado (to borrow), pedir permiso (to ask for permission), and pedir disculpas (to apologize).

Examples: “¿Qué pides?” “Pido una taza de café.” “Ella pidió permiso para salir.” “Ayer pidieron ayuda para la mudanza.”