Politeness
How to say “please” in Spanish
“Por favor” is please in Spanish. Put it at the end of a request (“un café, por favor”) or at the beginning. Spanish speakers also soften requests with polite verb forms such as “quisiera” and “¿podría...?”.
In Spanish
Por favor
Please
Say it: pohr fah-BOHR
Other ways to say “please”
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Si es tan amable
If you would be so kind
Very polite, for formal requests.
-
Haga el favor de...
Please (do...)
Formal, often seen in notices and when asking someone to do something.
-
Porfa
Pls / Please
A casual shortening between friends, mostly in text and speech.
-
¿Podría ayudarme?
Could you help me?
A polite way of asking that works without “por favor”.
Example sentences
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Un café con leche, por favor.
A coffee with milk, please.
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Por favor, ¿me puede ayudar?
Please, can you help me?
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Pase, por favor.
Please come in.
Good to know
- Spanish waiters and shop staff do not expect “por favor” on every sentence the way English speakers do, but it never hurts.
- To answer a thank-you you say “de nada”, not “por favor”: they are different words.
Questions about “please” in Spanish
How do you say “please” in Spanish?
“please” in Spanish is “Por favor” (Please). It is pronounced pohr fah-BOHR. You can also say “Si es tan amable”, “Haga el favor de...”, “Porfa”.
How do you pronounce “Por favor”?
“Por favor” sounds like pohr fah-BOHR. The capital letters mark the stressed syllable. Tap the speaker on this page to hear it.
What are other ways to say “please” in Spanish?
“Si es tan amable” (If you would be so kind): very polite, for formal requests. “Haga el favor de...” (Please (do...)): formal, often seen in notices and when asking someone to do something. “Porfa” (Pls / Please): a casual shortening between friends, mostly in text and speech. “¿Podría ayudarme?” (Could you help me?): a polite way of asking that works without “por favor”.
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