Spanish Word of the Day: Pregunta (question)

The Spanish word for question, pregunta, comes from the Latin verb percontor, meaning to inquire or investigate.

Pregunta is a feminine noun, so it takes the following definite and indefinite articles:

• la pregunta (the question)
• las preguntas (the questions)
• una pregunta (a question)
• unas preguntas (some questions)

There are many different types of questions which we can identify using the word pregunta including the list below:

• una pregunta abierta = an open-ended question
• una pregunta de elección múltiple = a multiple choice question
• una pregunta difícil = a difficult question
• una pregunta retórica = a rhetorical question
• una pregunta hipotética = a hypothetical question
• preguntas realizadas frecuentemente = frequently asked questions/FAQs
• una pregunta estúpida = a stupid question
• la pregunta del millón = the million dollar question

As well as being a common feminine noun, pregunta is the 3rd-person singular present indicative and the 2nd-person singular imperative of the verb preguntar (to ask / inquire). For example:

• Él pregunta si tu podrías estar ahí. = He asks if you can be there.
• ¡Vamos, pregunta por qué! = Go on, ask why!

Some common verbs that you will encounter being used alongside the noun pregunta are suggested below:

• contestar = to answer
• tener = to have
• plantear = to pose
• hacer = to do/to make
• acosar = to hound or harrass

Useful idiomatic expressions featuring pregunta