What does it mean word for word?
The phrase por favor, hazlo is composed of por favor (please) and hazlo, which is the imperative form of hacer (to do) combined with the direct object pronoun lo (it).
Which one should you use?
The default form por favor, hazlo uses the tú (informal) command, whereas por favor, hágalo uses the usted (formal) command.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase Hazme el favor de hacerlo is used to ask someone to do something informally. Additionally, when addressing a group of people informally in Spain, you would use por favor, hacedlo. In Latin American Spanish, when addressing a group of people informally, you use por favor, háganlo.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to someone in a formal context or to a stranger, you should use the formal imperative hágalo instead of the informal hazlo.
Did you know?
- While 'please' is usually translated as por favor, in some contexts of intense pleading, a Spanish speaker might use te lo ruego to mean 'I beg of you'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a request starting with por favor is often accompanied by a slight tilt of the head or a soft gesture to soften the command further.
- While por favor is the standard way to say 'please', in some regions and contexts, people use porfa as a shortened, very informal version.
Examples in context
- Por favor, hazlo rápido.Please do it quickly.This example shows how to use por favor, hazlo to ask for something to be done quickly.Tatoeba #1820202 by Shishir, translation #38491 by CK
- Por favor, hazlo por mí.Please do this for me.This example shows how to use por favor, hazlo when asking someone to do something for you.Tatoeba #2136856 by Shishir, translation #1855119 by Spamster
- Por favor, hazlo por nuestra amistad.Please, do it for our friendship.This example shows how to use por favor, hazlo when appealing to a friendship.Tatoeba #9002346 by arh, translation #9188990 by DJ_Saidez
- Por favor, hágalo lo antes posible.Please do it as soon as possible.
- Por favor, hazlo cuando puedas.Please do it whenever you can.
- Le ruego que lo haga como indicamos en el correo electrónico.I beg you to do it as stated in the email.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier asks María to send a document.
- JavierMaría, ¿puedes enviar el correo?María, can you send the email?
- MaríaSí, lo envío ahora mismo.Yes, I'll send it right now.
- JavierPor favor, hazlo antes de las cinco.Please do it before five.
- MaríaNo hay problema, Javier.No problem, Javier.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
