How to Say Please in Portuguese

Today, let’s learn different ways to say please in Portuguese. If you are used to reading our blog, you have already learned many interesting things about Brazilian Portuguese. Stuff like how to say I love you in Portuguese, how to greet people, and much more.

We have a whole special category on our blog for people studying Portuguese. So, if you want to learn more grammar, check it out! Moreover, our hashtag #CaminhosTips on Instagram and Facebook is full of interesting and compelling information for you as well.

Further reading: How to say thank you in Portuguese.

Por favor

The most common way to say please in Portuguese is by saying ‘por favor’. This is both a formal and informal way to politely make a request or give a command. It is used in any circumstances and surroundings.

Examples:
Você pode me emprestar uma caneta, por favor? (Can you lend me a pen, please?)
Por favor, não jogue lixo no chão. (Please, do not throw trash on the floor.)

Por gentileza

People may tend to use ‘por gentileza’ when they are trying to be extra kind and polite.

Examples:
Por gentileza, você pode me informar que horas são? (Please, can you tell me what time is it?)
Pode me dar licença, por gentileza? (Can you excuse me, please?)

Pode me fazer um favor?

In Portuguese, the word ‘favor’ is the same as in English. It means something done or granted out of goodwill. However, that is also the same word used to say please in Portuguese, so we usually do not use it twice in a sentence. Therefore, if you are asking for a favor, just say ‘pode me fazer um favor?’ and you are already being polite without having to say please.

Examples:
Pode me fazer um favor? Consegue ver se tem mais desta camisa no estoque da loja? (Can you do me a favor? Can you check if there are more of this shirt in stock?)
Pode me fazer um favor e me ajudar a levar minhas sacolas de compras? (Can you do me a favor and help me carry my groceries?)

Por obséquio

This was how people would say please in Portuguese ages ago. It is still rarely used, mostly by very formal people. Nowadays, saying ‘por obséquio’ is extremely formal. You may see this expression in formal writings, such as letters and emails.

Example: Informo que o relatório anual da empresa será publicado na sexta-feira. Por obséquio, entreguem suas apresentações até o dia cinco. (I am here to inform you that the company’s annual report will be published on Friday. Please turn in your presentations by the 5th.)

Na moral

If you enjoy learning new slang and speaking like a true Brazilian, you can also say ‘na moral’ when saying please in Portuguese. This expression is mostly used and Rio de Janeiro. ‘Na moral’ is used in very informal situations, with friends while having fun. You can also say “Na moralzinha.”

Examples:
Na moral, vai lá na padaria comprar um refri pra gente? (Please can you go to the bakery to buy us a soda?)
Me empresta dez reais? Na moralzinha. (Can I borrow ten reais? Please.)

Further reading:  The Ultimate List of Carioca Slang!

Na humildade

This is another slang but is often used by people from São Paulo. It works the same way as ‘na moral’, though.

Examples:
Professora, deixa a gente sair mais cedo hoje, na humildade? (Teacher, can we leave earlier today, please?)
Compra uma cerveja pra mim na humildade? (Buy me a beer, please?)

Pf / Prfv / Pfv

There are many ways to say please in Portuguese using internet slang. People have numerous ways to abbreviate ‘por favor’ and use it in text messages and chats. Some of them include ‘pf’, ‘prfv’, or ‘pfv’. If you want to learn more about Brazilian internet slang, check this blog post.

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