por favor
neutral
To say "please" to a woman, use por favor. For a polite request to an older woman or a stranger, add señora or use si es tan amable for "if you are so kind". It is also called Por favor, señora.
Meaning: polite request to a woman (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| por favor | neutral |
| Por favor, señora | polite |
| Si es tan amable | formal |
Por favor can go at the start or at the end of a request, such as Por favor, ¿me ayuda? or ¿Me ayuda, por favor?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
When you address a woman as señora, use the usted form of the verb, such as ¿Me ayuda? instead of ¿Me ayudas?
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase has no gender, so it stays the same for a man or a woman.
Did you know?
- Por favor literally means "for favor", so a request in Spanish is framed as asking for a kindness.
Examples in context
- Por favor, señora, ¿me ayuda?Please, madam, can you help me?
- Si es tan amable, ¿me da la hora?If you are so kind, could you give me the time?
- Pase, por favor.Please come in.
Example conversation
Tomás asks an older woman for directions on the street.
- TomásPerdone, señora. ¿Dónde está la estación, por favor?Excuse me, madam. Where is the station, please?
- SeñoraSiga recto y gire a la derecha.Go straight and turn right.
- TomásMuchas gracias, señora.Thank you very much, madam.
