por favor siéntate
/poɾ faboɾ sjentate/from spelling rules
The English phrase "please sit" is translated into Spanish as por favor siéntate.
This phrase is used to make a polite request for someone to take a seat.
What does it mean word for word?
The term siéntate is a reflexive form of the verb sentar, which literally means "sit yourself down".
Which one should you use?
The default form por favor siéntate uses the tú (informal) conjugation, which is appropriate for friends, family or children. In contrast, the formal version is used when addressing someone with the formal usted.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, people may say Siéntate, por favor or Siéntese, por favor.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the verb changes depending on who you are addressing: use por favor siéntese when addressing a single person with the formal usted, and use por favor siéntense when addressing more than one person.
Did you know?
- The phrase sentar cabeza, which uses the same root as siéntate, does not mean to sit down but rather to 'settle down' or start behaving maturely.
- The verb sentar is used to describe the fit of clothing. If a dress or suit fits a person perfectly, a speaker would say it sienta bien.
- The word favor comes from the Latin favōrem, which is derived from the root faveō, meaning 'to be propitious' or 'to be kind'.
Examples in context
- ¡Hola! Pasa, por favor siéntate.Hello! Come in, please sit down.
- Pasa a la sala, por favor siéntate.Come into the living room, please sit.
- La comida está lista, por favor siéntate.The food is ready, please sit.
- Hay un sitio libre, por favor siéntate aquí.There is a free seat, please sit here.
Example conversation
Lucía welcomes Alejandro into her home.
- Lucía¡Hola, Alejandro! Adelante.Hello, Alejandro! Come in.
- AlejandroMuchas gracias, Lucía.Thank you very much, Lucía.
- LucíaPor favor siéntate en el sofá.Please sit on the sofa.
- AlejandroGracias, qué cómodo es.Thanks, it is very comfortable.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries favor, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
