hazme un favor
/aθme un faboɾ/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for 'do me a favor' is hazme un favor.
Hazme un favor is used to request that someone does something helpful for the speaker. It is also frequently used as a way to introduce a command, often following the structure Hazme un favor y… (Do me a favor and…). While it is a literal request for help, the phrase can also be used sarcastically to express annoyance, mirroring how it is used in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb haz (do), the indirect object pronoun me (me) and the noun phrase un favor (a favor).
Which one should you use?
¿Me haces el favor? is an informal way to ask 'Could you do me the favor?' To add an informal confirmation, you might say Hazme un favor, ¿vale? (Do me a favor, okay?).
How does it change in a sentence?
Use hazme un favor for the informal 'tú' singular. If you are asking a group of people to do you a favor, use the plural form háganme un favor.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθme un faboɾ/
Did you know?
- The pronoun me in hazme un favor is a clitic, meaning it attaches directly to the end of the verb and cannot be separated by a space.
- While hazme un favor is common, in many regions people use the phrase hazme el favor with the definite article, which can sound more demanding or insistent.
- The word favor comes from the Latin faveō, which means 'to be favorable' or 'to be kind' rather than just performing a task.
Examples in context
- Hazme un favor y apaga esa radio.Do me a favor by switching off that radio.This example shows how to use the phrase to introduce a request to switch off a radio.Tatoeba #5084117 by diegohn, translation #51461 by CM
- Hazme un favor y cállate.Do me a favor and shut up.This example shows how the phrase can be used to introduce a command to be quiet.Tatoeba #927358 by mrc3306, translation #4497838 by CK
- Él me dijo: "Por favor, hazme un favor".He said to me, "Please, do me a favor."This example shows the phrase used within a quoted sentence.Tatoeba #853945 by macronoid, translation #288322 by magnificentgoddess
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía is asking Daniel for help with some heavy bags.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿me puedes ayudar con esto?Daniel, can you help me with this?
- DanielClaro, ¿qué necesitas?Sure, what do you need?
- LucíaHazme un favor y lleva esta maleta al coche.Do me a favor and take this suitcase to the car.
- DanielNo hay problema, yo la llevo.No problem, I'll take it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries favor, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
