How do you say please in Spanish?
In Spanish, you say please as por favor, pronounced por fa-VOR with the stress on the last syllable; it works in any situation—ordering food, asking for directions, or making a polite request—and a Langel will gently correct your pronunciation inside its response.
When to use por favor
Use por favor whenever you ask for something: Un café, por favor (A coffee, please), ¿Me puedes ayudar, por favor? (Can you help me, please?), or Repite, por favor (Repeat, please). It fits casual chats with friends, formal emails, and interactions with strangers. You don't need a different word for formal situations—por favor covers them all.
Pronunciation guide
- por favor: por fa-VOR (roll the r slightly in por, stress on VOR)
- porfa (colloquial shortcut): POR-fah — common in quick texts or very casual speech, but stick to the full form while learning
Say it out loud a few times; the v and b sound the same in Spanish, so favor sounds like fabor.
Common combinations
- Por favor — standard, works everywhere
- ¿Me das... por favor? — Can you give me... please?
- ¿Podrías... por favor? — Could you... please? (softer, more polite)
- Haz el favor de... — Do me the favor of... (slightly more direct, often used in instructions)
Practice tips
Say por favor after every request during a practice session: ordering a drink, asking for the bill, or requesting a slower repetition from a Langel. Try switching between por favor and ¿Podrías... por favor? in the same conversation. A Langel will repeat the correct form and let you hear the difference.
Frequently asked questions
Is por favor formal or informal?
It works in both casual and formal settings; you can use it with friends, coworkers, or strangers without sounding out of place.
Can I just say porfa?
Porfa is a colloquial shortcut you'll hear in texts or very relaxed speech, but it can sound too casual with people you don't know. Stick to por favor until you're comfortable with the rhythm of the conversation.
Do I need to say por favor every time I ask for something?
In Spanish-speaking cultures, por favor is expected with most requests. Omitting it can sound blunt or demanding, especially with strangers or in service situations.
What's the difference between por favor and porfa?
Por favor is the standard, polite form. Porfa is an informal abbreviation, like saying "pls" instead of "please" in English—fine with close friends, odd in a shop or with a new acquaintance.
With a Langel
You: Un agua, por favor. Langel: Claro! Por favor sounds great—stress on the last syllable: por fa-VOR. Want to try a softer request? You: ¿Podrías repetir, por favor? Langel: Perfecto. ¿Podrías repetir, por favor? (slowly) ¿Podrías repetir, por favor? You: ¿Podrías repetir, por favor? Langel: Bien! Now try asking for the check in a restaurant. You: La cuenta, por favor. Langel: Exacto. Remember, you can always ask me to go slower or explain in English—just say slower, please or explícalo en inglés.
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