por favor
/poɾ faˈboɾ/
por favor is the Spanish way to say please.
por favor translates to "please" in English and is a polite expression used when asking for something or making a request.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition por (for) and the noun favor (favor).
Which one should you use?
While por favor is the standard way to say please, you might encounter several variations. porfa is an informal abbreviation, and hazme el favor is an informal way to say "do me the favor" to express a request.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Argentina, the informal terms porfi and porfis are used instead of por favor.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾ faˈboɾ/
Did you know?
- While English uses 'please' for almost every request, Spanish speakers may omit por favor when using the conditional tense, such as ¿podría?, as the grammar itself already signals the politeness.
- In some regions, saying por favor with a specific rising intonation can actually turn a request into a sarcastic expression of disbelief, similar to saying 'Oh, please!' in English.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, adding por favor to a request is not enough for true politeness. It is often accompanied by a specific gesture, such as a slight nod or avoiding direct eye contact, to soften the demand.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría darme una taza de café, por favor?Could you give me a cup of coffee, please?
- Si es tan amable, ¿podría indicarme dónde queda la estación de tren?If you would be so kind, could you tell me where the train station is?
- ¿Puedes prestarme tu libro, porfa?Can you lend me your book, please?
- Hazme el favor de apagar la luz, por favor.Do me the favor of turning off the light, please.
- ¿Me compras un helado, porfi?Can you buy me an ice cream, please?
- Agua, por favor.Water, please.
- Ayúdame, por favor.Help me, please.
- ¿Puedes cerrar la puerta, por favor?Can you close the door, please?
Example conversation
María is asking Daniel for a glass of water.
- MaríaDaniel, ¿tienes agua, por favor?Daniel, do you have water, please?
- DanielSí, María. Aquí tienes.Yes, María. Here you go.
- MaríaMuchas gracias.Thank you very much.
- DanielDe nada.You're welcome.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry por favor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
