to ask (a question)
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
Siempre pregunto el precio antes de comprar.
I always ask the price before buying.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
El policía me preguntó adónde iba.
The police officer asked me where I was going.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
Los niños preguntaban por su abuela.
The kids were asking about their grandmother.
Futuro · What will happen
Preguntaremos en la recepción.
We'll ask at the front desk.
Condicional · What would happen
Yo preguntaría primero.
I'd ask first.
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
¿Has preguntado por los boletos?
Have you asked about the tickets?
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Ella ya había preguntado por ti.
She had already asked about you.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Para hoy ya habrán preguntado en el banco.
By today they will have asked at the bank.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Te habríamos preguntado, pero no estabas.
We would have asked you, but you weren't there.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Es mejor que preguntes antes de entrar.
It's better if you ask before going in.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
Temía que mi mamá preguntara por el carro.
I was afraid my mom would ask about the car.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
Esperé a que me preguntasen.
I waited for them to ask me.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
Me alegra que hayas preguntado.
I'm glad you asked.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Si hubiéramos preguntado, no nos habríamos perdido.
If we had asked, we wouldn't have gotten lost.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Pregunta si hay mesa para cuatro.
Ask if there's a table for four.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
No preguntes tanto y come.
Don't ask so many questions and eat.