Spanish Phrase
¿Qué vas a pedir?
Meaning
Literally “What are you going to order?” It is used to ask someone what they intend to order, usually in a restaurant, café, or any situation where a choice of food or drink is being made.
When to use
Use this informal question when you’re with friends, family, or anyone you address with *tú*. In a more formal setting (e.g., a waiter speaking to a customer) you would switch to the polite form *¿Qué desea pedir?*.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Quévasapedir?
¿Qué
Interrogative pronoun meaning “what”. It introduces a question about an unknown element.
vas
Second‑person singular present of the verb *ir* (to go). Here it forms a periphrastic future.
a + infinitive
The construction *ir + a + infinitive* expresses an action that is about to happen, similar to “going to …” in English.
pedir
Infinitive of the verb meaning “to order, to ask for, to request”. In a restaurant context it means “to order (food/drink)”.
🗨In Conversation
¿Qué vas a pedir?
What are you going to order?
Creo que voy a pedir una paella de mariscos.
I think I’ll order a seafood paella.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Qué es vas a pedir?
Do not add the verb *ser* before *vas*; the correct structure is *¿Qué vas a…?* not *¿Qué es vas a…?*
¿Qué vas a pedír?
The infinitive *pedir* never carries an accent; adding one creates a non‑existent form.
¿Que vas a pedir?
In questions the interrogative pronoun must have an accent; *que* without accent means “that”.
↔Alternatives
¿Qué quieres pedir?
What do you want to order?
¿Qué vas a ordenar?
What are you going to order?
¿Qué vas a tomar?
What are you going to have (to drink)?
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries the verb *pedir* is the go‑to word for ordering food or drinks, but it can also mean “to ask for” in non‑culinary contexts. When speaking to a waiter or in a formal environment, replace *vas a* with the polite *desea* (¿Qué desea pedir?) to show respect. Also, remember that the accent on *qué* is mandatory in questions; omitting it changes the meaning to the conjunction “que”.