pedir
to ask for
To ask for or request something
Encoding Strategies:
linguistic
petition
formal request
+
-ir
verb suffix
Pedir means to ask for and is related to the English word petition0: to petition someone is to formally ask them for something.
pedir
to ask for, to request
To petition someone for something is simply to ask them for it.
Le pedí ayuda a mi hermano con la mudanzaI asked my brother for help with the move
Pidieron permiso para salir tempranoThey requested permission to leave early
to order (food, products)
Ordering food or products is just asking for them.
Voy a pedir el pollo asadoI'm going to order the roast chicken
Pedí unos zapatos por internet la semana pasadaI ordered some shoes online last week
to beg (for charity)
Asking for money or charity, often with no object stated at all.
Un hombre pedía dinero afuera de la iglesiaA man was begging for money outside the church
La anciana pedía en la esquina todas las mañanasThe old woman begged on the corner every morning
to call for, to demand
Things can also "ask for" what they need or deserve: a job that "asks for" patience calls for it, and neighbors who "ask for" security are demanding it.
Este trabajo pide mucha pacienciaThis job calls for a lot of patience
Los vecinos piden más seguridad en el barrioThe neighbors demand more security in the neighborhood
pedirse
to call dibs on (colloquial)
Asking for something for yourself before anyone else can get it.
¡Me pido la litera de arriba!I call dibs on the top bunk!
Nos pedimos los asientos delanteros del cocheWe call dibs on the front seats of the car