ask

S1 W1

BrE /ɑːsk/ AmE /æsk/

verb en → es

past asked pp asked ing asking

1 REQUEST INFORMATION [T + obj] A1

to request information by speaking or writing to someone

preguntar, solicitar información

  • ask sb sth

Collocations ask a question · ask for directions

  • I asked her what time the meeting was.

    Le pregunté qué hora era la reunión.

  • Can I ask you something?

    ¿Puedo hacerte una pregunta?

2 REQUEST ACTION [T + obj + to-inf] A1

to request that someone does something for you

pedir, solicitar que alguien haga algo

  • ask sb to do sth

Collocations ask someone to help · ask for a favor

  • I asked him to close the door.

    Le pedí que cerrara la puerta.

  • She asked me to lend her some money.

    Me pidió prestado algo de dinero.

3 REQUEST PERMISSION [T + obj] A2

to request permission or approval from someone

pedir permiso, solicitar aprobación

  • ask sb for sth

Collocations ask permission · ask for approval

  • I asked my boss if I could leave early.

    Le pedí permiso a mi jefe para salir temprano.

  • She asked her parents for permission to go out.

    Pidió permiso a sus padres para salir.

Phrasal verbs

ask around INFORMAL INQUIRY B1

preguntar por ahí, hacer preguntas informales

  • I asked around and found out that the store is closed on Sundays.

    Pregunté por ahí y descubrí que la tienda está cerrada los domingos.

ask for REQUEST SOMETHING A1

pedir, solicitar algo

  • She asked for a refund.

    Ella pidió un reembolso.

ask out INVITE ON A DATE B1

invitar a salir, pedir una cita

  • He asked her out to dinner.

    La invitó a cenar.

ask over INVITE TO VISIT B1

invitar a visitar, invitar a pasar

  • I asked my friend over for dinner.

    Invité a mi amigo a cenar.

ask after INQUIRE ABOUT WELL-BEING B2

preguntar por, inquirir sobre el bienestar de alguien

  • He asked after your health.

    Preguntó por tu salud.

Idioms

ask for trouble B2

pedir problemas, buscar problemas

  • If you go out at night alone, you're asking for trouble.

    Si sales sola por la noche, estás buscando problemas.

ask the question B1

plantear la pregunta, hacer la pregunta

  • The journalist asked the question that everyone wanted to know.

    El periodista planteó la pregunta que todos querían saber.

ask for it B2

pedirlo, buscarlo

  • If you provoke him, you're asking for it.

    Si lo provocas, te lo estás buscando.