Introduction
This article explains the difference between the Portuguese verbs Pedir and Perguntar. Many learners confuse them because both relate to asking, but they are used in different ways. Here you will find clear rules, conjugation tips, real Brazilian Portuguese examples, and cultural notes to help you use these verbs correctly in everyday situations.
- What do Pedir and Perguntar mean?
- How to use Pedir
- How to use Perguntar
- Key differences and easy rules to remember
- Conjugation notes and common tenses
- Pronouns and word order: me, te, lhe, o, a
- Common learner mistakes and how to avoid them
- Politeness and cultural notes in Brazil
- Idiomatic uses and fixed expressions
- Real conversational examples
- Advanced nuance: verbs in reported speech
- Practice tips for remembering the difference
- Conclusion
What do Pedir and Perguntar mean?
Pedir means to request, to ask for something, or to order. It focuses on wanting or needing an object, action, favor, or permission.
Perguntar means to ask a question or to inquire. It focuses on requesting information.
Quick summary
Pedir = request something (object, favor, help).
Perguntar = ask for information (questions).
How to use Pedir
Pedir is a transitive verb that typically takes a direct object: what you ask for. It can be followed by a noun, an infinitive, or a clause introduced by que or para.
Common structures with Pedir
1) Pedir + noun: pedir algo
Example:
Eu pedi ajuda.
2) Pedir + que + subjunctive: pedir that someone do something
Example:
Eu pedi que ele me ajudasse.
3) Pedir + infinitive: pedir para + infinitive (colloquial) or pedir que + subjunctive (more formal)
Example:
Eu pedi para sair mais cedo.
4) Pedir + por + noun (less common in Brazilian Portuguese; better: pedir algo ou pedir por ajuda in some contexts)
Example:
Ela pediu desculpas.
Examples and translations
Eu pedi um café ao garçom.
I requested a coffee from the waiter.
Marcela pediu um favor ao vizinho.
Marcela asked the neighbor for a favor.
Pedro pediu que a reunião começasse às nove.
Pedro asked that the meeting start at nine.
Posso pedir sua opinião?
Can I ask for your opinion?
Common collocations and verbs used with Pedir
pedir desculpas (to apologize)
pedir ajuda (to ask for help)
pedir favores (to request favors)
pedir perdão (to ask for forgiveness)
pedir comida (to order food)
How to use Perguntar
Perguntar is used when you want to ask a question or request information. It is followed by a direct question, or by a clause introduced by se (if/whether) or por que, quando, como, etc.
Common structures with Perguntar
1) Perguntar + question word or clause: perguntar onde, quando, por que, como
Example:
Ela perguntou onde eu moro.
2) Perguntar + se (if/whether): perguntar se + clause
Example:
Ele perguntou se eu poderia ajudar.
3) Perguntar + a + person: perguntar algo a alguém (ask someone something)
Example:
Vou perguntar ao professor.
Examples and translations
Você pode me perguntar qualquer coisa.
You can ask me anything.
Eu perguntei por que ele chegou atrasado.
I asked why he arrived late.
Ela perguntou se haveria aula amanhã.
She asked if there would be class tomorrow.
Posso perguntar uma coisa?
Can I ask one thing?
Key differences and easy rules to remember
1) Think object vs information: Pedir = ask for an object, favor, or action. Perguntar = ask for information or pose a question.
2) Direct objects: Pedir usually takes the thing requested as a direct object. Perguntar usually takes a question or clause that expresses information being requested.
3) Prepositions: Pedir can be followed by que (subjunctive) or para + infinitive. Perguntar can be followed by se or question words like onde, quando, por que, como.
Minimal pairs to compare
Eu pedi um emprego. (I applied for or requested a job.)
Eu perguntei sobre o emprego. (I asked about the job; I inquired about information related to it.)
Ela pediu silêncio. (She asked for silence; ordered people to be quiet.)
Ela perguntou se todos estavam quietos. (She asked whether everyone was quiet.)
Conjugation notes and common tenses
Both verbs are regular in most tenses, but pay attention to irregularities: Pedir is a stem-changing verb in some conjugations (e > i), while Perguntar is fully regular.
Present tense examples
Pedir (presente): eu peço, você pede, ele pede, nós pedimos, vocês pedem, eles pedem.
Pedir has a stem change in the eu form: peço.
Perguntar (presente): eu pergunto, você pergunta, ele pergunta, nós perguntamos, vocês perguntam, eles perguntam.
Past and subjunctive examples
Preterite: eu pedi / eu perguntei.
Subjunctive present: que eu peça (from pedir), que eu pergunte (from perguntar).
Note that pedir requires the subjunctive when you ask someone to do something: Eu pedi que você viesse mais cedo. Here venha is in the subjunctive in more formal registers; in colloquial Brazilian Portuguese you will frequently hear Eu pedi pra você vir mais cedo, using the infinitive with para.
Pronouns and word order: me, te, lhe, o, a
When combined with object pronouns, both verbs follow Portuguese clitic placement rules. In colloquial Brazilian Portuguese, object pronouns often come before the verb: me, te, lhe, o, a, nos, lhes.
Examples with pronouns
Ele me pediu ajuda.
He asked me for help.
Eu te perguntei ontem.
I asked you yesterday.
Você lhe pediu o documento? (formal) — Did you ask him/her for the document?
Você pediu o documento para ele? (colloquial, less formal)
Common learner mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake 1: Using Perguntar when you mean to request something. Example error: Eu perguntei um favor. Correct: Eu pedi um favor.
Why: A favor is something you request, not information.
Mistake 2: Using Pedir when you mean to ask a question. Example error: Eu pedi onde ficar. Correct: Eu perguntei onde ficar.
Why: Where to stay is information, so use perguntar.
Mistake 3: Using wrong conjunctions. Avoid saying Eu perguntei para se ele vinha. Correct: Eu perguntei se ele vinha. Or Eu perguntei para saber se ele vinha (I asked to find out whether he was coming).
How to check your choice
Ask yourself: Am I asking for something tangible or for someone to do something? Use Pedir.
Am I requesting information, a fact, or asking a question? Use Perguntar.
Politeness and cultural notes in Brazil
Both verbs appear in polite requests, but Brazilians often prefer softening phrases and indirect forms when requesting favors. Using por favor, com licença, or using the conditional and subjunctive makes requests more polite.
Polite ways to request
Posso pedir um favor? — Can I ask a favor?
Você pode me ajudar, por favor? — Could you help me, please?
Eu gostaria de pedir sua ajuda. — I would like to ask for your help.
Polite ways to ask questions
Posso perguntar uma coisa? — May I ask something?
Você poderia me dizer onde fica a estação? — Could you tell me where the station is?
Idiomatic uses and fixed expressions
Some expressions use one verb in ways that might not be obvious. Learn these as chunks.
Expressions with Pedir
pedir desculpas — to apologize
pedir licença — to ask permission or pardon (e.g., enter a room)
pedir perdão — to ask for forgiveness
pedir emprestado — to ask to borrow
Expressions with Perguntar
perguntar pelo — to ask after someone (e.g., perguntaram pelo seu pai)
perguntar a respeito de — to ask about something
perguntar quantas vezes for necessário — to ask as many times as needed
Real conversational examples
At a restaurant:
Garçom, eu gostaria de pedir a conta, por favor. (Garçom is waiter; pedir a conta = ask for the check)
On the street asking directions:
Com licença, você pode me dizer onde fica a estação? / Com licença, posso perguntar uma coisa? (Here you use perguntar to ask for direction information)
Asking a favor from a friend:
Posso te pedir um favor? Você pode me emprestar seu livro? (Use pedir to request the book)
Checking details at work:
Eu perguntei ao chefe se a reunião mudou para amanhã. (Use perguntar to inquire whether something changed)
Advanced nuance: verbs in reported speech
When reporting questions or requests, the choice of verb in Portuguese mirrors English usage. Use Pedir for reported requests and Perguntar for reported questions.
Ela pediu que trouxéssemos os documentos. — She asked/ requested that we bring the documents.
Ele perguntou quando começaríamos. — He asked when we would start.
Practice tips for remembering the difference
1) Make two small lists: items you would pedir (um favor, um copo d’água, desculpas) and questions you would perguntar (onde, por que, como).
2) Use mini-dialogues: role-play asking for things vs asking questions. Focus on the object vs the information.
3) Notice native usage: listen to Brazilian Portuguese in everyday contexts—restaurants, conversations, and customer service—to hear how Brazilians naturally use both verbs.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between Pedir and Perguntar is essential for clear communication in Portuguese. Remember: pedir = request something tangible or a favor; perguntar = ask for information or pose a question. With the examples and tips above, you will avoid common mistakes and sound more natural in Brazilian Portuguese conversations.
