ve, por favor
/ˈbe poɾ faˈboɾ/word by word
In Spanish, "go, please" is expressed as ve, por favor.
The phrase is used to make a polite request for someone to move or travel to another place. Depending on the context, it can range from a direct command to leave a space to a respectful request for someone to depart.
Which one should you use?
Ve is the informal imperative used when speaking to someone you address as tú, such as a friend or family member. In contrast, vaya is the formal imperative used when addressing someone as usted, such as a stranger or a superior.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to ask someone to go away or leave a specific location, you may use the pronominal form vete, por favor. When addressing more than one person, use the form vayan, por favor, which works for both formal and informal groups.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbe poɾ faˈboɾ/
Did you know?
- Using vaya instead of ve does more than signal formality. In certain contexts, vaya can be used as an interjection to express surprise or dismay, similar to saying 'Oh my!' in English.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, adding por favor to vete does not always make it polite. Depending on the tone, it can sound sarcastic or like a firm demand for someone to leave immediately.
- The word ve is a linguistic oddity because it functions as both the imperative for 'go' and the imperative for 'see' in certain contexts, stemming from two different Latin roots.
Examples in context
- Señora, váyase, por favor. La reunión ha terminado.Madam, go please. The meeting has ended.
- Perdone, ¿puede irse? Estamos cerrando el establecimiento.Excuse me, can you go? We are closing the establishment.
- Amigo, vete por favor. Necesito un momento a solas.Friend, go please. I need a moment alone.
- Puedes irte, por favor. No te preocupes por mí.You can go, please. Don't worry about me.
- Ve, por favor, hacia la salida.Go, please, toward the exit.
Example conversation
Javier is telling Lucía to go to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription.
- JavierLucía, ve, por favor, a la farmacia.Lucía, go, please, to the pharmacy.
- Lucía¿Quieres que vaya ahora?Do you want me to go now?
- JavierSí, es muy urgente.Yes, it is very urgent.
- LucíaEstá bien, me voy de inmediato.Okay, I am leaving immediately.
