Learn Hardcore Russian: Я люблю задавать вопросы.

вопросы is the direct object of the verb задавать. In Russian, direct objects without prepositions take the accusative case, and since it’s plural, this word is in the accusative plural.

Why is the verb задавать in the imperfective form rather than the perfective задать?

The imperfective aspect ( задавать ) expresses habitual or repeated actions, or a general activity. Since “I like asking questions” refers to a recurring activity or preference, you use the imperfective. The perfective задать would imply a single, completed action (“to ask one question”).

Why is вопросы plural here? Can I say вопрос (singular) instead?

Using plural (вопросы) conveys a general liking for asking questions in general. If you said Я люблю задавать вопрос, it would sound strange and overly specific—like you love asking one particular question. Plural is used for actions we enjoy doing repeatedly or in general.

What is the form люблю and why not use нравится?

люблю is the first-person singular present tense of любить (“to love” or “to like very much”). You could use нравиться to express liking: “Мне нравится задавать вопросы.” Literally “To me it pleases to ask questions.” That’s perfectly correct but slightly more indirect. Я люблю is more direct and emphatic.

Do I need a preposition before вопросы?

No preposition is needed because вопросы is the direct object of задавать. Russian marks objects with cases rather than prepositions. Here, the accusative case alone signals that вопросы is what is being asked.

What’s the difference between спрашивать and задавать when talking about asking questions?

спрашивать (imperfective) and спросить (perfective) focus on asking someone for information, usually with у + person (e.g., спросить у друга “to ask a friend”).
задавать (imperfective) and задать (perfective) are used specifically with вопрос(ы) for “to pose/pose questions.” You don’t need у + person, because the phrase задавать вопросы already means “to ask questions” in general.