“Pedir” or “preguntar”: one “ask”, two verbs
CEFR B1 · part 1
edumaterial's parts within the level. The European framework does not subdivide them.
“Quiero que vengas”: the subjunctiveForming the present subjunctive and using it after verbs of wanting, asking, feeling and…Giving orders, and being polite about itForming commands for “tú”, “usted”, “vosotros” and “ustedes”, positive and negative…“Creo que es” but “no creo que sea”Choosing indicative or subjunctive after verbs of thinking, saying and seeming…Three ways of saying “will”Choosing between the present, “ir a” + infinitive and the simple future, and knowing…“Quedar”, “quedarse”, “dejar”Four everyday verbs that English packs into “stay”, “leave”, “keep” and “arrange”…“Ser” or “estar”: two verbs for one “to be”Choosing between “ser” and “estar” in everyday sentences: who you are and what you are…The rule, in three lines
Preguntar is to ask a QUESTION —le pregunté la hora, pregunta por Ana— and pedir is to ask FOR something: pedí un café, te pido un favor. And pedir takes the thing directly, with no preposition at all.
The usual slip. Using one for both, and hunting for a Spanish equivalent of the English for: pedir por un café, which means something else.
Why it catches you out. English “ask” does both jobs and leans on a preposition to tell them apart — “ask a question”, “ask FOR a coffee”. So you go looking for that preposition in Spanish and it is not there: “pido un café”. And “pedir por” does exist, meaning to ask after somebody or to pray for them.