لطفاً
lotfan
The English word please can be said in Persian as لطفاً (lotfan).
لطفاً is an interjection used to make a polite request. Similar to English, you can place it at either the beginning or the end of your request.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word لطفاً is an adverb derived from the noun lotf, meaning kindness or grace and the suffix -an, which literally translates to "with kindness".
Which one should you use?
While لطفاً is the standard way to say please, using the phrase lotf konid (do kindness) is a much more formal and heavy way to request something.
How do you pronounce it?
lotfan
Did you know?
- While 'please' is often a single word in English, in Persian, making a request often involves 'Ta'arof', a complex system of etiquette where you might insist someone else's request first to show respect.
- The word lotf is a loanword from Arabic, reflecting the deep historical influence of Arabic on the Persian vocabulary regarding ethics and manners.
- In highly polite or formal Persian conversation, instead of just saying لطفاً, one might use the phrase خواهش میکنم (khohesh mikonam), which literally means 'I make a request'.
Examples in context
- لطفاً مرا بغل کن.Please give me a hug.This sentence shows how to use لطفاً in a request for a hug.Tatoeba #9868222 by sinakd, translation #3266834 by CK
- لطفاً مرا رها کن.Release me, please.This sentence shows how to use لطفاً when asking to be released.Tatoeba #12877623 by manelie, translation #9004305 by carlosalberto
- لطفاً بسته را باز کن.Please open the package.This sentence shows how to use لطفاً when asking to open a package.Tatoeba #9859756 by cojiluc, translation #1907147 by CK
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Reza is asking Zahra to help him with something at home.
- زهرا Zahraرضا، لطفاً این را برایم بیاور.Reza, lotfan in ra baray-e man biar.Reza, please bring this for me.
- رضا Rezaالان میآورم، زهرا.Alan mi-āvaram, Zahra.I'll bring it now, Zahra.
- زهرا Zahraخیلی ممنون.Kheyli mamnun.Thank you very much.
- رضا Rezaخواهش میکنم.Khāhesh mikonam.You're welcome.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
