Por favor, no limpie
The English phrase 'please do not clean' is translated into Spanish as Por favor, no limpie.
This phrase is used to make a polite request asking someone not to perform cleaning tasks in a specific area.
Which one should you use?
In contrast, No limpies, por favor is the informal version.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal form Por favor, no limpies is used when addressing someone you know well or who is younger than you.
Did you know?
- While limpie is the standard polite form, using the formal usted register with long-term cleaning staff in some Latin American cultures can unintentionally seem cold or distant.
- In Spanish, the word limpiar can be used to describe the act of 'clearing' a physical space, such as limpiar la mesa to clear a table, rather than just removing dirt.
- The word favor in Por favor shares a root with the Latin faveō, meaning 'to be favorable' or 'to lean towards', suggesting the phrase is literally asking for a favorable disposition.
Examples in context
- Le ruego que no limpie en esta área, por favor.I kindly ask you not to clean in this area, please.
- Por favor, absténgase de limpiar durante el evento.Please refrain from cleaning during the event.
- No limpies los platos ahora, por favor.Do not clean the dishes now, please.
- Por favor, no limpien la escalera.Please do not clean the staircase.
- Por favor, no limpie la habitación todavía.Please do not clean the room yet.
- Por favor, no limpie el suelo todavía.Please do not clean the floor yet.
- Por favor, no limpie mi oficina hoy.Please do not clean my office today.
- Por favor, no limpie la mesa ahora.Please do not clean the table now.
Example conversation
Elena is a housekeeper and Javier is a guest in a hotel.
- JavierHola Elena, por favor, no limpie la habitación hoy.Hello Elena, please do not clean the room today.
- ElenaEstá bien, Javier. ¿Lo hago mañana?That is fine, Javier. Should I do it tomorrow?
- JavierSí, por favor, no limpie nada hasta mañana.Yes, please do not clean anything until tomorrow.
- ElenaEntendido, no hay problema.Understood, no problem.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries favor, no, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
