Pedir Conjugation: Free Spanish Lesson, Exercises, and PDF

Today, we are asking all about the pedir conjugation in Spanish. It’s a common irregular verb. That’s why it’s great to familiarize yourself with it.

Asking for things is a part of everyday life. You might ask for a glass of water, a pay raise, or forgiveness. Or perhaps you simply want to go out to a restaurant and order something from the menu. No matter what you are asking for, you will need the verb pedir.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over how to use pedir in sentences as you learn the pedir conjugations in the verbal (gerunds and participles), imperative, subjunctive and indicative forms. Finally, you’ll have the chance to test your new knowledge with a mini-quiz.

The Spanish Verb Pedir

The Spanish verb pedir usually means “to request” or “to ask for.” It is a stem-changing Spanish verb in which the e in the stem sometimes changes to i. The same thing happens for the verbs like servir and vestir.

In addition to its basic meaning, the verb pedir is part of several expressions commonly used by native speakers, such as:

• pedir un deseo – to make a wish
• pedir consejo – to ask for advice
• pedir disculpas / pedir perdón – to apologize
• pedir prestado – to borrow

Other verbs that follow the pattern of pedir include competir (to compete), despedir (to send off), impedir (to prevent), medir (to measure), and repetir (to repeat).

Now, let’s delve into the pedir conjugations! 

Pedir Conjugation 

Pedir Conjugation: Verbals 

Infinitive: pedir

Gerund: pidiendo

Participle: pedido

Examples:

Estoy de acuerdo contigo en pedir más información. – I agree with you about asking for more information.

¿Están listos para pedir? – Are you ready to order?

Ella está pidiendo la ensalada verde. – She is ordering the green salad.

Yo he pedido un licuado de fresa. – I have asked for a strawberry smoothie.

Pedir Conjugation: Indicative Mood

Present Indicative

Preterite Indicative

Imperfect Indicative

Future Indicative

Conditional Indicative

Pedir Conjugation: Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive is used in sentences with two clauses to express desire, doubt, denial, emotion, negation, possibility, and other subjective situations.

Present Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

Pedir Conjugation: Imperative

The imperative mood is used to give orders or commands. Note that positive and negative commands have slightly different conjugations.

Positive Commands

Negative Commands

Pedir Conjugation:  Exercises

1. Identify the tense and subject of each pedir conjugation.
   
   1. Pedías
   2. Pido
   3. Pidiendo
   4. Pidamos
   5. Pidiera
   6. Pidan
   7. Pediste
   8. Hemos pedido
   9. Pidieron
   10. No pida
       
2. Conjugate pedir in the tense given.
   
   1. Nosotros – present subjunctive
   2. Ellos – future
   3. Yo – present simple
   4. Ustedes – imperfect
   5. Tú – conditional
      
3. Find and correct the error in the pedir conjugation.
   
   1. Ella pidó una soda anoche.
   2. ¡No pedan la comida de aquel restaurante!
   3. Pidiendo mi mochila a la clase.
   4. ¿Has pedida unas botellas de agua?
   5. Ojala que Sofia pide ayuda.

4. Fill in the blank with the correct form of pedir.
   
   1. Ellos ___________ solo un plato para compartir. (present indicative)
   2. Ella ___________ una sopa de verduras para su almuerzo ayer. (past simple)
   3. ¡ ___________ tu favorito! (imperative, positive)
   4. Nosotros ___________ paz todos los días. (imperfect)
   5. Espero que ustedes ___________ cualquier cosa que necesita. (present subjunctive)

5. Translate the following sentences into English.
   
   1. Siempre pido mis vacaciones durante temporada baja. 
   2. No estoy pidiendo el camarón porque no se ve fresco. 
   3. Oscar pediría el plato vegetariano si fuera aqui. 
   4. Pediste las llaves de la Rosa?
   5. Tantas veces pedía más horas de trabajo de mi jefe.

Pedir Conjugation Answer Key: 

1. Tense and Subject: a) imperfect, tú; b) present indicative, yo; c) gerund, any subject; d) positive imperative, nosotros; e) imperfect subjunctive, yo or el/ella/Ud; f) preterite subjunctive, ellos/Uds; g) preterite indicative; tú; h) past participle, nosotros; i) preterite indicative, ellos/Uds; j) negative imperative, Ud.
2. Conjugating: a) pedimos; b) pedirán; c) pido; d) pedían; e) pedirías
3. Correcting errors: a) the correct preterite form of pedir is pidió; b) the correct form of negative imperative form is “no pidan”; c) the gerund form needs estar in conjugated form before it, such as está or estaba; d) the correct participle is pedido, not pedida ; e) this is subjunctive, triggered by the phrase “ojala que,” so the correct form is pida 
4. Fill in the blank: a) piden; b) pidió; c) pide; d) pedíamos; e) pidan
5. Translation: a) I always ask for my vacation during the low season; b) I am not ordering the shrimp because it doesn’t look fresh; c) Oscar would order the vegetarian plate if he were here; d) Did you ask Rosa for the keys?; e) Many times I asked my boss for more work hours.

Want more fantastic Spanish grammar lessons for free? Check out these posts!

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• Solo vs Solamente: What’s the Difference?
• A Comprehensive Lesson on Demonstrative Adjectives in Spanish
• Using Diminutives in Spanish for More Colorful Conversations
• A Simple Intermediate Guide to Subjunctive Conditional Spanish
• Cuál vs Qué: What’s the Difference?
• Is it ‘Que’ or ‘De Que’? Find Out Which to Use and When

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Michelle Margaret Fajkus

Editor & Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

Michelle Margaret Fajkus is a bilingual writer and longtime yoga teacher. A former advertising copywriter turned bilingual elementary school teacher, she is now a freelance writer, editor and translator. A native Texan, Michelle has Mexican roots and learned Spanish in middle and high school. She has become more fluent thanks to living as an expat in Guatemala. She lives with her family on beautiful Lake Atitlan. Learn more about Michelle and her work at yogafreedom.org.

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