In Spanish, the verbs pedir and preguntar both translate to "to ask" in English, but they are used in different contexts. Pedir is used when you request or ask for something, focusing on the act of asking for a favor, object, or service. Preguntar, on the other hand, is used when you ask a question or seek information.

Pedir = to ask for / to request
Preguntar = to ask (a question) / to inquire
pedir vs preguntar - SpanishDict

Which situations call for 'preguntar'?

When requesting a favor

When asking a question

When inquiring about something

When ordering food

'preguntar' is used when asking questions or inquiring, not for requests.

Pedir: requesting, ordering

Pedir is used when you ask for, request, or order something, such as a favor, an object, or a service. It is not used for asking questions.

You request something directly with pedir.
Common contexts: ordering food/drinks, asking for help, requesting information (if it's a request, not a question).

pedir conjugation (present)

Person	Pedir (to request)
Yo	pido
Tú	pides
Él/Ella/Usted	pide
Nosotros/as	pedimos
Vosotros/as	pedís
Ellos/Ellas/Uds.	piden

Example:

Pido un café. (I ask for/request a coffee.)
¿Puedes pedir ayuda? (Can you ask for/request help?)

In which situations would you use 'pedir'?

Ordering food

Requesting a favor

Asking for a service

Asking a question

Use 'pedir' when requesting or asking for something, not when asking questions.

Preguntar: asking questions, inquiring

Preguntar is used when you ask a question or inquire about something. It focuses on seeking information rather than requesting a thing.

Use preguntar when you want to know something.
You "ask a question," you don't "ask a request," so use preguntar for questions.

preguntar conjugation (present)

Person	Preguntar (to ask)
Yo	pregunto
Tú	preguntas
Él/Ella/Usted	pregunta
Nosotros/as	preguntamos
Vosotros/as	preguntáis
Ellos/Ellas/Uds.	preguntan

Example:

Pregunto por el horario. (I ask about the schedule.)
¿Puedes preguntar dónde está? (Can you ask where it is?)

Examples

English	Spanish (Pedir)	Spanish (Preguntar)
I ask for a coffee.	Pido un café.	—
I ask the waiter for a coffee.	Le pido un café al camarero.	—
I ask for help.	Pido ayuda.	—
I ask a question.	—	Pregunto algo.
I ask about the schedule.	—	Pregunto por el horario.
Can I ask you for a favor?	¿Puedo pedirte un favor?	—
Can I ask you a question?	—	¿Puedo preguntarte algo?

Which verb would you use for these sentences in Spanish? 'I ask for the bill.' / 'I ask if you are coming.'

Using Preguntar for both

Pedir for asking for the bill

Preguntar for asking if you are coming

Using Pedir for both

Use 'pedir' when asking for the bill (request), and 'preguntar' when asking if someone is coming (question).

Conclusion

When expressing the idea of "asking" in Spanish, it's essential to choose between pedir and preguntar based on the nature of your request:

Use pedir when you're requesting or asking for something (a favor, an object, a service).
Use preguntar when you're asking a question or seeking information.