pedir

Senses

1. 1.

   to ask for

   to request something from someone

2. 2.

   to order

   to request food or drink in a restaurant or establishment

3. 3.

   to beg

   to ask urgently or desperately

4. 4.

   to require

   to need or demand as a necessary condition

Examples

• "Le pedí un favor, pero me dijo que no podía ayudarme."

  I asked him for a favor, but he told me he couldn't help me.

• "Vamos al restaurante a pedir algo de comer."

  Let's go to the restaurant to order something to eat.

• "Este trabajo pide mucha dedicación y paciencia."

  This job requires a lot of dedication and patience.

Usage

A regular e→i stem-changing verb (present: pido, pides, pide). Common in all registers; widely used in everyday Spanish. Note the distinction: *pedir* = to ask/request; *preguntar* = to ask (a question).