Using the Spanish Verb Pedir

The verb pedir is used to refer to the making of requests and is typically translated as to ask for or to request. It should not be confused with preguntar, which usually means to ask a question. Translating Pedir Keep in mind that if using pedir to mean to ask for, you shouldnt translate the for separately, as its meaning is already included in the verb. If youre a beginner at learning Spanish, it may help you to think of pedir as meaning to request, because the sentence structure you use with that English translation may more closely mimic the Spanish sentence structure. For example: Mis hijas me pidieron que les escribiera un libro. Both  My daughters asked me to write a book for them, and  My daughters requested that I write them a book are good translations. The two English sentences have the same meaning, but the second one is worded more similarly to the Spanish. Here are some examples of pedir in action: El gobierno pidià ³ la ayuda para los damnificados por el huracà ¡n. (The government asked for help for the hurricane victims.) ¿Es malo si mi enamorada me pide dinero para resolver sus problemas? (Is it bad if my sweetheart is asking me for money in order to solve her problems?)No pidas eso. (Dont ask for that.)No pido el dinero para mà ­. (Im not asking for the money for myself.)Pidieron un coche y salieron de prisa. (They asked for a car and left in a hurry.) ¿Quà © pides para tu cumpleaà ±os? (What are you asking for for your birthday?) Note that pedir que is followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood: Te pido que me escuches. (Im asking you to listen to me.)Pediremos que se reconozca el resultado de la eleccià ³n. (We will ask that the outcome of the election be recognized.)Nunca he pedido que me manden estos libros. (I have never asked them to send me these books.) Although to request or to ask for nearly always works as a translation, in some contexts it is sometimes better translated with a different verb. For example, pedir  can sometimes have a stronger meaning than ask: Un tercio de los votantes pidieron un cambio radical. (A third of the voters called for a radical change.)Mi jefe con rabia pudo haber borrado los archivos. (My boss angrily demanded to have the files be erased.) Pedir can also be used to refer to the ordering of merchandise or services: Me pongo muy triste cuando quiero pedir pizza y no tengo dinero. (I get very sad when I want to order pizza and I dont have any money.)Lo pidieron tarde por internet y no llegà ³ a tiempo. (They ordered it late online and it didnt arrive on time.) Phrases Using Pedir Here are some common phrases using pedir: pedir un deseo: to make a wish.  ¿Quà © pasa con las monedas que tiramos en las fuentes cuando pedimos un deseo? (What happens with the coins we throw in fountains when we make a wish?pedir la mano de:  to ask for someones hand in marriage. Le pedà ­ la mano de mi esposa en la estacià ³n del tren. (I asked for my wifes hand in marriage at the train station.)pedir justicia:  to seek justice, to demand justice. Los manifestantes piden justicia para el hombre que murià ³. (The demonstrators are demanding justice for the man who died.)pedir la Luna:  to ask for the moon, to ask for something impossible. Nuestros clientes no piden la Luna. Simplemente quieren disfrutar de un servicio rà ¡pido. (Our customers arent asking for the moon. They simply want to enjoy quick service.)pedir perdà ³n:  To ask for forgiveness, to apologize. Me pide perdà ³n por haberme hecho tanto daà ±o. (She apologized for having caused me so much harm.)pedir permiso:  to ask for permission. Nun ca le hemos pedido permiso a nadie. (We have never asked for permission from anybody.) Conjugation of Pedir Keep in mind that pedir is conjugated irregularly, following the pattern of vestir. When the -e- of the stem is stressed, it becomes an -i-. For example, here is the conjugation of the present-tense indicative mood: yo pido (I request), tà º pides (you request), usted/à ©l/ella pide (you/he/she request), nosotros/as pedimos (we request), vosotros/as pedà ­s (you request), ustedes/ellos/ellas piden (you/they request).