per favore
/per faˈvo.re/
In Italian, "pretty please" is expressed as per favore.
per favore is an emphatic interjection used to make commands more polite.
Meaning: an emphatic interjection to make commands more polite (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /per faˈvo.re/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
When do people say it?
If you want to add even more emphasis to a request, you can use the expression per favore, ti prego! to mean "please, I beg you!"
Did you know?
- The phrase per favore is often paired with the gesture of joining fingertips together and moving the hand up and down to emphasize the urgency of the request.
- The expression per favore can sometimes be used sarcastically to mean 'for heaven's sake' if someone is acting irrationally.
- While per favore is standard, the phrase per cortesia is often used as a more formal alternative to evoke a sense of 'courtesy' rather than a 'favor'.
Example conversation
Sofia is asking Alessandro for a favor.
- SofiaAlessandro, mi presti la tua bici?Alessandro, will you lend me your bike?
- AlessandroNo, mi serve tra dieci minuti.No, I need it in ten minutes.
- SofiaDai, per favore! Torno subito.Come on, pretty please! I'll be right back.
- AlessandroVa bene, ma fai presto.Alright, but be quick.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry per favore, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
