Nov
17
3 ways to ask for what you want in Spanish
The tendency for English speakers, when they want to ask for something in Spanish, is to do a direct translation with phrases like “podría darme….” or “quisiera….” There’s nothing wrong with that, but there are times and situations in which those constructions don’t sound natural (i.e. native), no matter how good your Spanish accent is. Here are three ways to ask for what you want in Spanish:
¿Dejar + algo? expresses the idea of borrowing something from another person. ¿Me dejas tu coche para ir al supermercado? (Can I borrow your car so I can go to the supermarket?)
¿Dar + algo? Use this one to ask for things that can’t be returned or things that you don’t plan to return, because it would be just too plain nasty to do so. For example, when you ask somebody for a tissue or a piece of gum. You wouldn’t expect to give back a piece of gum after chewing it, now would you? 
Another example: ¿Me das un vaso de agua, por favor? (Can you give me a glass of water, please?)
¿Poner + algo? This one you use in a bar or a restaurant when ordering a drink or some food. It’s very Spanish, as in used in Spain. ¿Me pone un café con leche, por favor? (Can you give me a coffee with milk, please?)
An awesome blog post buddy, very informative.
I loved this short article. Please write more like it!!
Would you use dar in a restaurant, when asking for a glass of water, or would you use poner?
Hi Andrew,
I would use the verb “dar” with a request for water because a glass of water requires zero preparation, unlike coffee or some other beverage.
Thanks for your comment!