Quick answer
Pedir requests something. Perguntar asks a question.
A reliable test is to identify the job of the word before translating from English.
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What each word does
pedir
to ask for or request
Use pedir for requesting an object, favor, permission, service, or action.
perguntar
to ask a question
Use perguntar for asking a question to get an answer.
How to choose
- pedir: Choose pedir if the sentence points to requesting an object, favor, permission, service, or action.
- perguntar: Choose perguntar if the sentence points to asking a question to get an answer.
Examples
Pedi uma informacao.
I asked for information.
Perguntei o horario.
I asked the time.
Common trap
If what follows is a favor or item, use pedir. If it is a question, use perguntar.
Practice it in context
Pick one sentence from your real life and write it twice: once with pedir, then once with perguntar. If both versions feel possible, name the meaning shift.
Learn Brazilian Portuguese step by step
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