Ways to say it
| Azerbaijani | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| zəhmət olmasa | [zæhˈmæt ˈoɫmɑsɑ] (narrow) | |
| lütfən | [ˈlytfæn] (narrow) | |
| sənə zəhmət | informal | |
| sizə zəhmət | formal |
These phrases are used as interjections to make a polite request.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase zəhmət olmasa literally translates to "if it is not a trouble" or "if it is not bother."
Which one should you use?
Lütfən is a more formal, almost literary version of 'please' compared to the more common zəhmət olmasa. The shortened versions, sənə zəhmət and sizə zəhmət, are used to direct the request toward a specific person using informal or formal pronouns respectively.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Zəhmət olmasa is a formal way to say please in Azerbaijani. For a more literary or highly formal tone, use lütfən. When using the shortened versions, sənə zəhmət is informal and used with people you know well, while sizə zəhmət is formal and used for elders, strangers or professional settings. Another formal option for saying please is xahiş edirəm.
How does it change in a sentence?
Sənə zəhmət uses the informal "to you" (sənə), meaning "to you (informal) trouble". Sizə zəhmət uses the formal "to you" (sizə), meaning "to you (formal) trouble".
When do people say it?
When making a request in Azerbaijani culture, it is customary to begin with a greeting, such as "Salam, əslində bir xahişim var" (Hello, I have a request actually).
Did you know?
- The term zəhmət is cognate with the Arabic word for 'crowd' or 'congestion', showing how the concept of a 'troublesome' or 'crowded' effort evolved into a word for 'trouble'.
- The word zəhmət used in the common phrase for 'please' also means 'hard work' or 'toil' in other contexts.
- While English speakers use 'please' as a versatile adverb, Azerbaijani speakers often switch the word 'please' into a verb-based phrase like xahiş edirəm, which means 'I am requesting'.
Examples in context
- Mal əti, zəhmət olmasa.Beef, please.This sentence shows how to use zəhmət olmasa when ordering food.Tatoeba #13337209 by Nicat, translation #19483 by CK
- Üç baqet, zəhmət olmasa.Three baguettes, please.This sentence shows how to use zəhmət olmasa when ordering items.Tatoeba #4412910 by vertigo93, translation #3251338 by Vincinho
- Zəhmət olmasa, qulaq as.Please listen.This sentence shows how to use zəhmət olmasa when asking someone to listen.Tatoeba #13364169 by Nicat, translation #2111572 by CK
- Zəhmət olmasa, mənə kömək edə bilərsiniz?Could you please help me?
- Xahiş edirəm, bir şüşə su istəyə bilərəm?Could I please have a glass of water?
- 72 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kamran and Gunay are at a cafe.
- GunayBir stəkan su, zəhmət olmasa.A glass of water, please.
- KamranBuyurun, Günay xanım.Here you go, Ms. Gunay.
- GunayÇox sağ olun, Kamran.Thank you very much, Kamran.
- KamranDəyməz.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries zəhmət olmasa, lütfən, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lütfən, sənə, zəhmət, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
