Spanish - Politeness

___, por favor.

Please, ___ .

Meaning: Please, ___.

When to use: Use this frame to make a short polite request. Put the verb or phrase in the blank (for example: “Cierra la puerta, por favor.”).

Tip: Don’t put “por favor” before every single word; it most naturally comes after the request.

Gracias.

Thank you.

Meaning: Thank you.

When to use: Say this to show gratitude after someone helps you, gives you something, or shares information.

De nada

You're welcome.

Meaning: You're welcome.

When to use: Reply to someone who says “Gracias.” It’s a polite, neutral response.

Disculpa.

Excuse me.

Meaning: Excuse me.

When to use: Use to get someone’s attention or to interrupt politely in informal/tú situations. For formal address say “Disculpe.”

Tip: Beginner learners sometimes use “Disculpa” in very formal situations; switch to “Disculpe” when speaking to someone you should address formally.

Perdón

Sorry.

Meaning: Sorry.

When to use: A short apology after a small mistake, bumping someone, or when you need to excuse yourself.

¿Podrías ___, por favor?

Could you ___, please?

Meaning: Could you ___, please?

When to use: Use this polite question to ask someone to do something for you in informal tú form. For formal use, say “¿Podría ___, por favor?”

Tip: Don’t mix forms: beginners sometimes use “podrías” with very formal contexts; use “podría” to be consistently formal.

¿Puedes repetirlo, por favor?

Can you say that again, please?

Meaning: Can you say that again, please?

When to use: Ask this when you didn’t hear or understand something and want the speaker to repeat it politely.

Ayúdame, por favor.

Please help me.

Meaning: Please help me.

When to use: Use this short imperative to ask someone for help in informal situations. For formal, say “Ayúdeme, por favor.”

Lo siento, no puedo.

Sorry, I can't.

Meaning: Sorry, I can't.

When to use: Use this to soften a refusal or to explain you are unable to do something in a polite way.

Qué amable de tu parte.

That's very kind of you.

Meaning: That's very kind of you.

When to use: Say this to acknowledge someone’s helpful or generous action in an informal tú form. For formal use, say “Qué amable de su parte.”

No pasa nada.

It's okay.

Meaning: It’s okay.

When to use: Use to reassure someone after a small problem or mistake. It calms the situation and shows nothing serious happened.

Adelante.

Go ahead.

Meaning: Go ahead.

When to use: Use this to give permission or to tell someone they may proceed, often in situations like entering or starting.

Pasa tú primero.

After you.

Meaning: After you.

When to use: Say this when you want someone else to go first, for entrances or narrow passages. Informal form uses tú; formal is “Pase usted primero.”