| Principal Translations |
inquire,
enquire vi | formal (ask) | preguntar⇒ vi |
| | (formal) | inquirir⇒ vi |
| Note: "Inquire" is preferred in American English, "enquire" in British English. |
| | For theater reservations, please inquire at reception. |
| | Para entradas para el teatro preguntar en la recepción. |
inquire whether/when/how,
enquire whether/when/how vtr | formal (with clause: ask) | preguntar⇒ vtr |
| | (formal) | indagar⇒ vtr |
| | Fred inquired whether Larry had time to help him move this weekend. |
| | Lucie enquired when the next train for King's Cross departed. |
| | Fred preguntó si Larry tenía tiempo de ayudarlo a mudarse este fin de semana. // Lucie preguntó cuándo salía el siguiente tren para King's Cross. |
inquire as to whether/when/how/who/what,
enquire as to whether/when/how/who/what vtr | formal (with clause: ask) | preguntar⇒ vtr |
| | (formal) | indagar⇒ vtr |
| | I am writing to inquire as to whether your company has any vacancies. |
| | Les escribo para preguntar si su empresa tiene puestos vacantes. |
inquire about [sth],
enquire about [sth] vi + prep | (ask for information on) | preguntar por vi + prep |
| | (formal) | consultar acerca de vi + loc prep |
| | I'm phoning to enquire about the second-hand bicycle you advertised. |
| | Llamo para preguntar por la bicicleta de segunda mano que ha publicado. |
inquire into [sth],
enquire into [sth] vi + prep | (ask about) | investigar⇒ vtr |
| | The FBI inquired into the murder of the young woman. |
| | El FBI investigó el asesinato de la mujer. |
inquire after [sb],
enquire after [sb] vi + prep | formal (ask for news of [sb]) | preguntarle a alguien por loc verb |
| | Kate inquired after Ben's sister when she saw him at the store. |
| | Kate le preguntó a Ben por su hermana cuando se lo encontró en el negocio. |