per favore
/per faˈvo.re/
The English phrase "please" is translated into Italian as per favore. Wiktionary also lists per piacere.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| per favore | /per faˈvo.re/ | |
| per piacere | informal |
per favore is an interjection used to make a polite request. You can place it at the beginning or at the end of a sentence to soften a command or a request.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase per favore literally translates to "for favor", while per piacere translates to "for pleasure".
Which one should you use?
per piacere is a common informal alternative.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal way to say "please", you can use per cortesia. The expression per piacere is used in informal situations. The informal expression ti prego can also be used and directly translates to "I pray you".
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /per faˈvo.re/.
Did you know?
- When someone says per favore with a rising, sarcastic intonation, it can actually be used to express disbelief or annoyance, similar to saying 'please!' in English.
- Using per favore too many times in a single sentence can sound unnatural to Italians, who prefer a more direct approach once the initial politeness is established.
- The word piacere is the root for the Italian way of saying 'I like', as in mi piace, effectively saying that something 'gives me pleasure'.
Examples in context
- Per favore, lo apra.Please open it.This sentence shows how to use per favore to soften a command.Tatoeba #3034037 by Guybrush88, translation #2249804 by CK
- Il sale, per favore.The salt, if you please.This sentence uses per favore when asking for an item.Tatoeba #4897510 by Guybrush88, translation #29861 by aka_aj
- Si alzi, per favore.Stand up, please.This sentence shows the placement of per favore at the end of a request.Tatoeba #12711443 by Guybrush88, translation #325441 by CK
- Posso avere un caffè, per favore?May I have a coffee, please?
- Potrebbe gentilmente inviarmi il documento, per cortesia?Could you kindly send me the document, please?
- Mi puoi prestare il tuo cellulare, per piacere?Can you lend me your phone, please?
- Ti prego, fammi un favore e porta queste chiavi a casa mia.Please, do me a favor and bring these keys to my house.
- Mi puoi passare il sale, per favore? Grazie!Can you pass me the salt, please? Thank you!
- 6505 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are at a small cafe.
- GiuliaUn bicchiere d'acqua, per favore.A glass of water, please.
- FrancescoCertamente, ecco a lei.Certainly, here you go.
- GiuliaGrazie mille, Francesco.Thank you very much, Francesco.
- FrancescoPrego, Giulia.You're welcome, Giulia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries per favore, per piacere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
