What does it mean word for word?
The phrase por favor, você pode me dar literally translates to "please, you can give to me".
Which one should you use?
The forms available differ primarily by their level of formality and nuance. To ask "Please, could you give me…", use the formal Por favor, poderia me dar… To ask "Excuse me, could you bring me…", use the formal Desculpe, poderia me trazer… For a very casual request meaning "Can you get me…", you can use the informal Dá pra me arranjar…
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While por favor, você pode me dar is a standard way to ask, you can increase your politeness by using the conditional form por favor, você poderia me dar, which means "please, could you give me". In casual settings, Brazilians often shorten the request to the informal por favor, me dá instead of the full version.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, it is common to use Posso pegar (Can I take) instead of asking to have something.
How does it change in a sentence?
In English, "can I have" focuses on the subject "I", but the Portuguese translation por favor, você pode me dar shifts the focus to the ability of the other person to provide the item using "você pode" (you can).
Did you know?
- The word você in your request actually traces its roots back to the phrase 'your mercy'. It evolved from the highly formal title vossa mercee, which was used to address people of high status.
- In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, the way you ask for something is often more about your relationship with the person than the literal meaning of the words used.
Examples in context
- Por favor, poderia me dar um copo d'água?Please, could you give me a glass of water?
- Por favor, você pode me dar um copo de água?Please, can I have a glass of water?
- Por favor, você pode me dar o cardápio?Please, can I have the menu?
- Por favor, você pode me dar a chave?Please, can I have the key?
Example conversation
Mariana is at a restaurant and asks Rodrigo, the waiter, for a napkin.
- MarianaPor favor, você pode me dar um guardanapo?Please, can I have a napkin?
- RodrigoClaro, Mariana. Aqui está.Of course, Mariana. Here it is.
- MarianaMuito obrigada, Rodrigo.Thank you very much, Rodrigo.
- RodrigoDe nada!You're welcome!
