To Ask
Pedir
This verb is used when you’re requesting or ordering something. In English, it corresponds to ‘to ask for’ something. For example: ‘Vou pedir a conta’ (I will ask for the bill.).
Perguntar
It may be confused with the verb ‘perguntar’ (to ask), which we must use only when we refer to a question, like ‘Ele perguntou-me porque é que eu estava tão chateado.’ (He asked me why I was so upset.).
Pedir (to ask for) is related to the noun ‘pedido’ (request), while ‘perguntar’ (to ask) is related to the noun ‘pergunta’ (question).
Pedir vs perguntar
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Pedir asks for a thing, perguntar asks a question. One Portuguese verb orders the bill and the other wants an answer, so this makes you choose.
- An interactive exercise
Written for level A2–B1. Every lesson has its own, anywhere from A1 to B2.
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