per favore
/per faˈvo.re/
The Italian phrase per favore means please.
per favore is the most straightforward and universally used phrase for "please" in Italian. It is used when making a request or asking for something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition per (for) and the noun favore (favor).
Which one should you use?
While per favore is a standard way to say please, per cortesia is a slightly more formal alternative used in more polite or professional contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /per faˈvo.re/.
Did you know?
- While per favore is used for requests, Italians use the word prego as the standard response to it, which literally means 'I pray'.
- While per favore is standard, Italians often use the word per favore as a subtle signal of impatience or annoyance if repeated several times in a row.
- In Italy, it is common to pair per favore with a hand gesture, such as pressing the fingertips together and moving the hand up and down, to emphasize a plea.
Examples in context
- Posso avere un caffè, per favore?May I have a coffee, please?
- Potrebbe gentilmente inviarmi il rapporto di vendita, per cortesia?Could you kindly send me the sales report, please?
- Mi passi la bottiglia d'acqua, per piacere?Can you pass me the water bottle, please?
- Mi dai un'altra fetta di torta, per favore, per favore?Can I have another slice of cake, pretty please?
- Un caffè, per favore.A coffee, please.
- Puoi aiutarmi, per favore?Can you help me, please?
- Mi porti il conto, per favore.Bring me the bill, please.
Example conversation
At a cafe in Italy.
- SofiaUn cornetto, per favore.A croissant, please.
- FrancescoCertamente, ecco a te.Certainly, here you go.
- SofiaGrazie mille, Francesco.Thanks a lot, Francesco.
- FrancescoPrego, Sofia.You're welcome, Sofia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry per favore, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
