You can ask for a request in Spanish with “¿Puedo pedir una canción en español?” or “¿Aceptan solicitudes en español?”, then match tú or usted to the moment.
You’re ready to ask, but you don’t want to sound stiff, pushy, or confusing. Fair. Spanish has a few clean ways to say “Do you take requests?” and the best one depends on what you’re requesting and who you’re talking to.
This article gives you phrase options you can use right away, plus small tweaks that make you sound natural: the verb that fits the situation, the right level of formality, and the add-ons that keep things polite.
Do You Take Requests in Spanish? Polite Ways To Ask
In Spanish, “requests” can map to a few different words. The trick is picking the one that fits the context. A DJ takes song requests. A café takes orders. A customer service team takes requests or applications. Spanish often signals that difference with the noun you choose.
Here are four dependable cores. You can drop them into a sentence and be understood across Spanish-speaking regions.
Song Or DJ Requests
- ¿Puedo pedir una canción? (Can I request a song?)
- ¿Aceptan solicitudes de canciones? (Do you accept song requests?)
- ¿Se pueden pedir canciones? (Can songs be requested? Neutral, works in many places.)
If you want to mention Spanish directly, add “en español” at the end: ¿Puedo pedir una canción en español?
Food, Drinks, And Services
- ¿Puedo hacer un pedido en español? (Can I place an order in Spanish?)
- ¿Atienden en español? (Do you serve customers in Spanish?)
- ¿Me puede tomar el pedido en español? (Can you take my order in Spanish? Formal.)
“Pedido” points to ordering something, not asking for a favor. That makes it a clean fit for cafés, hotels, salons, and shops.
General Requests At Work Or In Public Places
- ¿Aceptan solicitudes en español? (Do you accept requests in Spanish?)
- ¿Puedo hacer una solicitud en español? (Can I make a request in Spanish?)
- ¿Puedo presentar una solicitud en español? (Can I submit a request in Spanish? More formal.)
The word “solicitud” carries both everyday and formal senses, which is why it works in offices and official contexts.
When “Petición” Fits Better
“Petición” can sound more like “asking” or “requesting,” and it also shows up in writing. If you’re speaking to staff, it’s fine. If you’re filing paperwork, “solicitud” is often the safer default.
In dictionaries, “petición” is defined as the action of asking and also a written request, which matches how it shows up in speech and paperwork.
Pick The Right Tone: Tú, Usted, Or Neutral
Spanish gives you levers for tone. The biggest one is how you address the other person. With friends or peers, you’ll often use tú. With staff, officials, or someone older, usted is a safer bet. In many places, people use tú with service workers too, so you’ll hear it a lot.
If you want a reliable rule: start formal when you’re unsure, then match what you hear back. The RAE grammar note on “tú” and “usted” lays out the basic contrast: familiarity vs. respect.
Quick Form Switches
- Informal: ¿Puedes tomar mi pedido en español?
- Formal: ¿Me puede tomar el pedido en español?
- Neutral: ¿Se puede hacer el pedido en español?
The neutral “se puede…” phrasing helps when you don’t want to pick tú or usted yet.
Small Words That Make You Sound Natural
Politeness in Spanish often comes from structure, not extra adjectives. A soft opener and a clear request get you most of the way there.
Use “Por Favor” And Know The Text Shortcut
In speech, por favor is the standard. In texts, you’ll see porfa. If you’re curious about spelling, the RAE note on “porfa” confirms it’s written as one word.
In person, stick with “por favor.” It sounds clean and respectful without being stiff.
Use A Softener At The Start
- Perdón, … (Sorry to bother you, …)
- Disculpe, … (Excuse me, …) Formal.
- Oye, … (Hey, …) Casual, use with people you know.
Then go straight into the request. Short is good.
Ask A Yes/No Question First
Spanish often feels more polite when you ask permission before the ask. You’ll notice how many of the phrases start with “¿Puedo…?” or “¿Se puede…?” That pattern reduces friction.
Situational Phrases You Can Steal
Below are ready-to-say lines for common scenarios. Swap the noun, keep the structure, and you’re set. If you’re in a noisy place, speak the main noun clearly: canción, pedido, solicitud.
At A Bar With A DJ
- Perdón, ¿aceptan solicitudes?
- ¿Puedo pedir una canción en español?
- ¿Se pueden pedir canciones? Si se puede, me gustaría esta.
At A Restaurant Or Café
- Disculpe, ¿me puede tomar el pedido en español?
- ¿Atienden en español, por favor?
- ¿Puedo hacer un pedido en español?
On The Phone With Customer Service
- Hola, ¿puedo hablar en español?
- ¿Tienen atención en español?
- ¿Aceptan solicitudes en español o solo en inglés?
In An Office Or School Setting
- Disculpe, ¿puedo presentar una solicitud en español?
- ¿Hay formularios en español?
- ¿Se puede entregar la solicitud en español?
Notice how the words stay plain. You’re not asking for perfection. You’re asking what’s allowed.
Common Mix-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Most awkward moments come from translating “request” as one fixed word. Spanish is pickier. Here’s how to steer clear of the usual traps.
“Solicitud” Vs. “Pedido”
Pedido is an order: food, products, a service appointment. Solicitud is a request and often a formal request, sometimes written. If you want a simple meaning check, the RAE entry for “solicitud” and the RAE entry for “petición” spell out the differences.
If you’re ordering a coffee, “solicitud” can sound like paperwork. If you’re submitting a form, “pedido” can sound off.
If you want the verb that matches both, “solicitar” can mean to ask respectfully and also to file a request on paper, so you’ll see it in official Spanish.
“Petición” In Daily Speech
“Petición” works in conversation, yet it can sound a touch formal in some places. You’ll hear it in phrases like “tengo una petición.” If you’re speaking to staff, it lands fine. If you want the most neutral everyday line, “¿Puedo pedir…?” usually wins.
Don’t Over-Translate “Do You Take…”
English uses “take” in lots of ways. Spanish might use aceptar (accept), tomar (take an order), or just se puede (is it allowed). Pick the verb that matches the setting.
That’s also why “¿Toman solicitudes?” can sound odd in some contexts. For forms, people often say “¿Reciben solicitudes?” or “¿Aceptan solicitudes?” For food, “tomar el pedido” is common.
Phrase Map For Fast Choices
If you’re stuck, use this table like a menu. Pick your situation, then use the Spanish line as written. Change only the noun at the end.
| Situation | Spanish Line | Best When |
|---|---|---|
| DJ or band | ¿Aceptan solicitudes de canciones? | You want “requests” as a noun |
| DJ or bar | ¿Puedo pedir una canción en español? | You want one specific song |
| Café or restaurant | ¿Me puede tomar el pedido en español? | You’re speaking to staff |
| Shop or salon | ¿Puedo hacer un pedido en español? | You’re placing an order |
| Customer service | ¿Puedo hablar en español? | You want Spanish service |
| Office paperwork | ¿Puedo presentar una solicitud en español? | You’re submitting a form |
| School admin | ¿Hay formularios en español? | You need documents |
| General, neutral | ¿Se puede hacer esto en español? | You want zero form choice |
Pronunciation Tips That Prevent Confusion
You don’t need a perfect accent, yet a couple of sounds matter because they change meaning.
Stress The Right Syllable
- canción: stress “-ción” (can-SYON)
- solicitud: stress “-tud” (so-lee-see-TOOD)
- petición: stress “-ción” (pe-tee-SYON)
Say “En Español” As One Unit
Link it smoothly: “en-es-pa-ñol.” In a busy place, keep it short and clear.
Build Your Own Line In 10 Seconds
When none of the ready-made lines fit, you can build a clean sentence with a simple pattern.
Pattern 1: Permission + Action
¿Puedo + verbo + … en español?
- ¿Puedo pedir una canción en español?
- ¿Puedo hacer el pedido en español?
- ¿Puedo presentar la solicitud en español?
Pattern 2: Do You Accept + Noun
¿Aceptan + sustantivo + …?
- ¿Aceptan solicitudes?
- ¿Aceptan solicitudes en español?
- ¿Aceptan solicitudes de canciones?
Pattern 3: Neutral Rule Check
¿Se puede + verbo + …?
- ¿Se puede pedir una canción?
- ¿Se puede hacer el pedido en español?
- ¿Se puede entregar la solicitud en español?
Quick Swaps To Keep The Conversation Flowing
Once they say “sí,” you’ll want a follow-up line that moves things along without sounding abrupt.
| What You Want To Say | Spanish Option | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Great, thanks | Perfecto, gracias. | Works in most settings |
| Can I do it now? | ¿Lo puedo hacer ahora? | Neutral and short |
| Where do I submit it? | ¿Dónde lo puedo entregar? | Good for forms and paperwork |
| Can you repeat that? | ¿Me lo puede repetir, por favor? | Formal; switch to “puedes” for tú |
| I’m still learning | Estoy aprendiendo español. | Sets expectations without drama |
| Slower, please | Más despacio, por favor. | Short and widely understood |
A Simple Checklist Before You Ask
- Decide what “request” means here: song, order, paperwork, service.
- Pick the noun: canción, pedido, solicitud.
- Start with permission: “¿Puedo…?” or “¿Se puede…?”
- Choose tú or usted, or go neutral if you’re unsure.
- End with “en español” only when it matters to the listener.
If you follow that, you’ll sound clear and polite, and you’ll get an answer fast.
References & Sources
- Real Academia Española (RAE).“solicitud | Diccionario de la lengua española”Defines “solicitud” and shows its everyday and document-based uses.
- Real Academia Española (RAE).“petición | Diccionario de la lengua española”Defines “petición” as asking and as a written request, backing the word-choice guidance.
- Real Academia Española (RAE).“tú y usted | Nueva gramática básica”Explains the core difference between familiar and respectful forms of address.
- Real Academia Española (RAE).“¿El acortamiento de «por favor» se escribe «porfa» o «por fa»?”Clarifies the standard spelling of “porfa” as a one-word shortening.