Definition
To ask for something or to request something from someone.
Example
Ella pidió un vaso de agua en el restaurante.
Show translation
She asked for a glass of water at the restaurant.
Etymology
From Latin *petere* ("to seek, aim at, request"), also the ancestor of English words like "petition," "compete," and "appetite." The shift from *petere* to *pedir* reflects the regular phonological evolution of Latin into Castilian Spanish.
Cultural note
In Spanish-speaking countries, pedir is the standard verb for ordering food or drinks (*pedir en un restaurante*), making it one of the first verbs travelers encounter. Be careful not to confuse it with *preguntar* (to ask a question) — a common mistake for English speakers, since "ask" covers both in English. Use *pedir* when requesting something; use *preguntar* when seeking information.