por favor
everyday, Brazil
The usual way to say "please" in Brazil is por favor. In more formal speech people say por gentileza, and se puder means "if you can".
Meaning: polite request marker (adverb)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| por favor | everyday, Brazil |
| Por gentileza | formal |
| Se puder | polite |
Por favor can come at the start or end of a request. Brazilians often soften a request with the future of politeness, such as Você poderia me ajudar, por favor?
How do you pronounce it?
Favor is said "fah-VOR" and por is usually "poor" or "pohr".
Did you know?
- Brazilians often use obrigado and por favor together, and being polite goes a long way even when the tone is relaxed.
Examples in context
- Uma água, por favor.A water, please.
- Por gentileza, onde fica o banheiro?Please, where is the restroom?
- Se puder, me avise.If you can, let me know.
Example conversation
Paulo orders at a lanchonete in Salvador and the attendant Rita serves him.
- PauloUm suco de laranja, por favor.An orange juice, please.
- RitaPequeno ou grande?Small or large?
- PauloGrande, por favor.Large, please.
