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Questions and requests

Part of SpanishUsing Spanish language

Girl in classroom with hand raised

When working on talking skills in Spanish, it is important to know how to make requests. For example, asking someone to repeat what they have said or asking them to slow down.

How to make requests in Spanish

Just like in English, we use requests in Spanish when they are needed in a conversation.

SpanishEnglish
No entiendoI do not understand.
驴Puedes repetir la pregunta?Can you repeat the question?
驴Puedes hablar m谩s despacio?Can you speak more slowly?
驴Puedes hablar m谩s claramente?Can you speak more clearly?
驴C贸mo se dice _______ en espa帽ol?How do you say ______ in Spanish?
驴C贸mo se dice _______ en ingl茅s?How do you say ______ in English?

It is polite to add 鈥榩or favor鈥 - please, to the questions above. For example, if you do not understand what you are being asked, you could say:

  • No entiendo. 驴Puedes repetir la pregunta, por favor? - I do not understand. Can you repeat the question please?
Quisiera fruta por favor - I'd like fruit please

Asking Questions in Spanish

Just like in English, there are different ways to ask questions in Spanish.

If you are asking for something in a shop, for example, you will use 鈥榪耻颈蝉颈别谤补鈥 which means 鈥業 would like鈥.

However, if you are asking if you can have something, you would be more likely to use 鈥榩辞诲谤铆补鈥 plus an infinitive.

Quisiera fruta por favor - I'd like fruit please

Question phrases include:

SpanishEnglish
辩耻颈蝉颈别谤补鈥I would like鈥
podr铆a tener鈥. could I have鈥
me gustar铆a鈥 I would like鈥
puedo ir鈥 can I go鈥
puedo pedir鈥 can I order鈥

If you are ordering food, for example, you might say:

  • Quisiera un kilo de fresas, por favor. - I would like a kilo of strawberries, please.
  • 驴Puedo pedir una hamburguesa? - Can I order a hamburger?

Or, if you are asking for permission in class, you might say:

  • 驴Puedo ir al servicio, por favor? - Can I go to the bathroom please?
  • 驴Puedo hacer una pregunta? - Can I ask a question?

Quiz

Choose the correct translation for each Spanish word in this short quiz on requests.

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