Spanish Phrase
Pedí que no pusieran nueces.
Meaning
The speaker is saying that they asked someone (usually a waiter or cook) not to add nuts to a dish. It is often used when the speaker has a nut allergy or simply dislikes nuts.
When to use
Use this sentence in restaurants, cafés, or at home when you need to remind the kitchen staff that you have already requested a nut‑free preparation. It works well in both formal and informal settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Pedíquenopusierannueces.
Pedí (preterite)
‘Pedí’ is the first‑person singular preterite of ‘pedir’, meaning ‘I asked’ or ‘I requested’.
que + subjunctive
After verbs of request like ‘pedir’, the conjunction ‘que’ introduces a clause that uses the subjunctive mood.
Negative ‘no’
Place ‘no’ directly before the verb in the subjunctive clause to negate the action.
pusieran (imperfect subjunctive)
‘Pusieran’ is the imperfect (ra‑form) subjunctive of ‘poner’, used here because the request refers to a past or hypothetical action.
nueces (plural noun)
‘Nueces’ means ‘nuts’; it stays plural because the request concerns any amount of nuts.
🗨In Conversation
¿Le pongo nueces en la ensalada?
Shall I add nuts to the salad?
Pedí que no pusieran nueces.
I asked that they not put nuts.
✕Common Mistakes
Pedí que no puse nueces.
‘Puse’ is the indicative preterite; after ‘pedir que’ you need the subjunctive ‘pusieran’.
Pedí que no pusieron nueces.
‘No pusieron’ is indicative past; the request still requires the subjunctive.
Pedí que no pusieran nuez.
‘Nuez’ is singular; the sentence refers to nuts in general, so the plural ‘nueces’ is appropriate.
↔Alternatives
Le pedí que no añadieran nueces.
I asked that they not add nuts.
Solicité que no incluyeran nueces.
I requested that they not include nuts.
Le dije que no pusiera nueces.
I told him/her not to put nuts.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries it is common to explicitly state food allergies when ordering. Using the subjunctive after ‘pedir’ shows politeness and respect for the staff’s effort. In Latin America the pronunciation of ‘nueces’ is /ˈnwe.ses/ (without the ‘θ’ sound).