preguntar

Preguntar is a Spanish verb meaning "to ask" or "to inquire." It is used to request information, clarification, or to initiate dialogue. The verb belongs to the regular -ar family, making its conjugation straightforward for learners of Spanish.

Conjugation notes: As a regular -ar verb, preguntas and related forms follow standard endings. Present indicative: yo pregunto, tú preguntas, él pregunta, nosotros preguntamos, vosotros preguntáis, ellos preguntan. Preterite (simple past): pregunté, preguntaste, preguntó, preguntamos, preguntasteis, preguntaron. Present subjunctive: pregunte, preguntes, pregunte, preguntemos, preguntéis, pregunten. Imperative: tú pregunta; usted pregunte; nosotros preguntemos; vosotros preguntad; ustedes pregunten. Gerund: preguntando; past participle: preguntado. The progressive form uses estar + preguntando (estoy preguntando, etc.).

Usage and patterns: Preguntar takes a direct object when asking about something (preguntar algo: “Voy a preguntar la hora”). It is common to use a preposition with the subject of inquiry: preguntar a alguien (to ask someone) or preguntar por alguien/algo (to inquire about someone or something). It contrasts with pedir, which more often means to request or demand rather than simply inquire. Examples: “Ella preguntó dónde está la biblioteca.” “Voy a preguntar al profesor.” “¿Quieres preguntar algo?”

Related forms: Preguntarse means “to wonder” or “to ask oneself.” The noun pregunta corresponds to the English “question.” See also interrogar (to interrogate) and hacer una pregunta (to pose a question).

Etymology: Preguntar derives from la palabra pregunta, which in turn comes from Latin quaestio, meaning “question.”