παρακαλώ
parakaló/parakaˈlo/
The Greek word for please is παρακαλώ (parakaló).
παρακαλώ is used as an interjection to make a polite request. Beyond making requests, Greeks also frequently use παρακαλώ to mean 'excuse me'. Additionally, it is a common way to say 'you're welcome' when responding to someone saying ευχαριστώ (thank you).
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, παρακαλώ means 'I beg' or 'I request', as it is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form παρακαλώ is marked as informal.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
παρακαλώ is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
parakaló
When do people say it?
When someone says ευχαριστώ (thank you), it is standard to respond with παρακαλώ to mean 'you're welcome'.
Did you know?
- In a restaurant, a waiter might say παρακαλώ when handing you a plate, acting as a polite 'here you go'.
- The word παρακαλώ is built from the Greek words for 'beside' and 'to call', suggesting the act of calling someone to your side to make a request.
- While παρακαλώ is used for 'please', Greek has no single word for 'please' that is not a verb form.
Examples in context
- Σε παρακαλώ, πες μου.Please, tell me.This sentence demonstrates using παρακαλώ to make a request to tell something.Tatoeba #5358605 by Zeus, translation #38579 by CK
- Σε παρακαλώ, φάε κάτι.Please eat something.This sentence demonstrates using παρακαλώ to make a request to eat something.Tatoeba #5457961 by Zeus, translation #402749 by CM
- Σε παρακαλώ, πες κάτι.Please say something.This sentence demonstrates using παρακαλώ to make a request to say something.Tatoeba #5458032 by Zeus, translation #2062887 by CK
- 237 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A husband asks his wife to pass the salt.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠαρακαλώ, δώσε μου το αλάτι.Parakaló, dóse mou to aláti.Please, pass me the salt.
- Κώστας KostasΟρίστε, Κυριακή.Oríste, Kyriakí.Here you go, Kyriaki.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕυχαριστώ, Κώστα.Efcharistó, Kósta.Thank you, Kostas.
- Κώστας KostasΠαρακαλώ.Parakaló.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries παρακαλώ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries παρακαλώ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
