interjection
por favor
pawr fah-VOR
Por favor (interjection) means Please: a Spanish phrase used when making a request or accepting an offer politely. Example: “Dos cafés, por favor.”
interjection
1
Please: a Spanish phrase used when making a request or accepting an offer politely.
"Dos cafés, por favor."
"She held up two fingers and said 'por favor' with a smile."
How to use por favor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe Spanish word for 'please'.
When to use it
Everyday polite Spanish, used in English speech as a borrowing, sometimes jokily.
Memory tip
It goes at the end of a request as often as at the start: 'La cuenta, por favor.'
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
porfa
por qué
por fin
Common pairings
un café, por favor
la cuenta, por favor
más despacio, por favor
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Dos cafés, _____.
Etymology
Spanish, literally 'for favour', from Latin pro meaning 'for' and favor meaning 'goodwill'.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for por favor
See all rhymes for por favor →Frequently asked questions
What does por favor mean in English?
It means 'please'. Literally it is 'for favour', and it works in exactly the same places English uses please — attached to a request, an order in a restaurant, or on its own as a plea.
What is the difference between por favor and porfa?
Porfa is a clipped, casual shortening of por favor, roughly like saying 'pretty please' or 'plz' among friends. Use por favor with strangers, staff and anyone you would address formally.
How do you reply to por favor?
You do not reply to por favor itself — it is part of the request. Once you have handed something over, the other person says gracias and you answer de nada or por nada.
What is the meaning of por favor?
"por favor" (interjection) means please: a Spanish phrase used when making a request or accepting an offer politely.
