siéntese, por favor
The English phrase "sit down, please" can be translated into Spanish as siéntese, por favor.
This phrase is a polite request for someone to take a seat.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb in siéntese is reflexive, so the command literally translates to "sit yourself down".
Which one should you use?
While siéntese, por favor is the standard formal way to ask someone to sit down, you can also use the phrase Por favor, tome asiento to say "take a seat" in a formal manner. For an even more polite, formal approach, you can use Le agradecería que se sentara, which means "I would appreciate it if you sat down".
How does it change in a sentence?
The way the command is formed depends on who you are addressing. Use the formal siéntese for a single person being addressed with respect, and the informal siéntate for a single person you are close to. To address more than one person, the command changes to the plural form siéntense, por favor.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common for a host to insist several times that a guest siéntese even if the guest has already tried to remain standing out of politeness.
- The word asiento shares its roots with the verb 'asentar', which means to settle or to establish something firmly, such as a foundation or a principle.
- The word por in por favor is inherited from the Late Latin pōr and is a doublet of the borrowed word pro.
Examples in context
- Señor García, siéntese por favor.Mr. García, sit down, please.
- Pablo, siéntate, por favor.Pablo, sit down, please.
- Por favor, siéntese en la silla.Please, sit down in the chair.
- Doctor, siéntese, por favor.Doctor, sit down, please.
- Siéntese, por favor, para empezar la reunión.Sit down, please, to start the meeting.
Example conversation
A doctor's office during a check-up.
- DanielPase, Sofía. Siéntese, por favor.Come in, Sofía. Sit down, please.
- SofíaMuchas gracias, doctor.Thank you very much, doctor.
- Daniel¿Cómo se siente hoy?How are you feeling today?
- SofíaMe siento un poco mejor.I feel a little better.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries favor, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
