The preterite of pedir is used to express a specific instance of asking for or requesting something in the past. For example, you might say “I asked for help with my homework,” describing a single, completed request.

This is an e to i stem-changing verb, which means the ‘e’ changes to ‘i’ in the third person singular and plural forms of the preterite.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Pedir (to ask for/request) in the Preterite (Past) Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

The Preterite of pedir expresses a completed request or demand in the past.

To request formally: Refers to making a formal request or petition, for example Pedí un aumento en el trabajo (I asked for a raise at work).

To order food/drinks: Used when ordering at restaurants or establishments, for example Pidió una hamburguesa con papas (He ordered a hamburger with fries).

To ask for something: Used in general requests or favors, for example Le pedimos ayuda a mi tío (We asked my uncle for help).

To demand: Used in more forceful contexts, for example Pidieron una explicación inmediata (They demanded an immediate explanation).

Examples

Examples of Pedir in the Preterite (Past) Tense

Pedí un café con leche. (I ordered a coffee with milk.)

¿Qué pediste en el restaurante? (What did you order at the restaurant?)

Ella pidió un aumento de sueldo. (She asked for a raise.)

Pedimos ayuda a los vecinos. (We asked the neighbors for help.)

Los estudiantes pidieron más tiempo. (The students asked for more time.)

Pedí disculpas por mi error. (I asked for forgiveness for my mistake.)

¿Por qué pediste un cambio de horario? (Why did you request a schedule change?)

El cliente pidió hablar con el gerente. (The customer asked to speak with the manager.)

Pedimos un taxi para la fiesta. (We called for a taxi for the party.)

Los niños pidieron dulces en Halloween. (The children asked for candy on Halloween.)

Pedí información sobre el curso. (I asked for information about the course.)

¿Pediste permiso para salir? (Did you ask for permission to leave?)

Mi hermano pidió prestado el auto. (My brother asked to borrow the car.)

Pedimos la cuenta al mesero. (We asked the waiter for the check.)

Los invitados pidieron más música. (The guests asked for more music.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Pedir (to ask for/request) in the Preterite (Past) Tense tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Preterite tense is also known as the Simple Past, Past Simple, Definite Past, Absolute Past, or Past Tense Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Perfecto Simple, Pretérito Indefinido, Pretérito Simple, Pasado Simple, or Pretérito de Indicativo in Spanish.