hacer preguntas
Lemma Details
Translation: to ask questions; to question; to inquire
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'hacer' (to make/do) from Latin 'facere' and 'preguntas' (questions) from Latin 'percontari' (to inquire). The construction follows a common pattern in Spanish where certain actions are expressed with 'hacer' + noun rather than a single verb (as in English 'to question'). This reflects the Spanish tendency to conceptualize questioning as 'making questions' rather than using a single verb.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El periodista hace preguntas difíciles al político.
The journalist asks difficult questions to the politician.
Los niños siempre hacen preguntas sobre todo.
Children always ask questions about everything.
No tengas miedo de hacer preguntas en clase.
Don't be afraid to ask questions in class.
La policía hizo preguntas a los testigos.
The police questioned the witnesses.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'hacer' as 'to fashion' and preguntas as 'inquiries' - you're fashioning or crafting questions.
- Remember that in Spanish you literally 'make questions' rather than 'ask' them.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking cultures, asking direct questions can sometimes be seen as more acceptable than in some English-speaking contexts. However, there are still cultural norms about appropriate questioning, especially with elders or authority figures. The phrase is used in everyday conversation, educational settings, interviews, and formal inquiries.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'hacer preguntas' means 'to ask questions', 'hacer peticiones' means 'to make requests'. Both use the verb 'hacer' but with different nouns that change the meaning completely.
This word:
El estudiante hace preguntas sobre la tarea.
The student asks questions about the homework.
Confused word:
El ciudadano hace peticiones al gobierno.
The citizen makes requests to the government.
Notes: The distinction is important in formal contexts where questioning and requesting are different speech acts with different expectations.
Mnemonic: Preguntas seek information (?) while peticiones seek action (!)
Explanation: While 'hacer preguntas' means 'to ask questions', 'responder preguntas' means 'to answer questions' - they are opposite actions in a conversation.
This word:
El profesor hace preguntas a los estudiantes.
The professor asks questions to the students.
Confused word:
Los estudiantes responden preguntas del profesor.
The students answer the professor's questions.
Notes: These phrases often appear together in descriptions of conversations, interviews, or classroom interactions.
Mnemonic: Hacer (make) questions, responder (respond to) questions - one initiates, one reacts.