How To Say “Please” In Different Languages

“Please” is an English word that rhymes with freeze, squeeze, and bees. It is actually a shortened version of the phrase “if you please” or “if it pleases you.” We use this "magic word" to show proper etiquette and politeness when making a request—like “will you please pass the salt” or “may I please use the bathroom.”

This magic word is used all over our Blue Planet, with every language having its own version of politeness. Do you think even Martians have their way of saying “please?” I like to think they have many versions of this human magic word!

“Please” Around the World

• English: please (plees)
• Spanish / Portuguese: por favor (por fa-vor)
• French: s’il vous plaît (formal) / s'il te plaît (informal)
• German: bitte (bih-teh)
• Italian: per favore (per fa-voh-reh)
• Dutch: alstublieft (formal) / alsjeblieft (informal)
• Swedish: snälla (snel-lah)
• Norwegian: værsåsnill (vair-soh-sneel)
• Danish: vær venlig (vair ven-lee)
• Finnish: ole hyvä (oh-leh heew-vaa)
• Polish: proszę (proh-sheh)
• Turkish: lütfen (looft-ehn)
• Greek: σε παρακαλώ (seh pah-rah-kah-loh)
• Japanese: おねがいします (oh-neh-gah-ee shee-mas)
• Korean: 제발 (jeh-bahl)
• Mandarin Chinese: 请 (qǐng)
• Vietnamese: vui lòng (vuy long)
• Indonesian: tolong (toh-long)
• Swahili: tafadhali (tah-fah-dah-lee)
• Filipino: pakiusap (pa-ki-oo-sap)