Italian · Greetings & Essentials
"Please" in Italian: per favore
per favore
Please in Italian is per favore (pehr fah-VOH-reh). You can place it at the end: un caffè, per favore. Per piacere means the same and sounds a little softer in some regions.
Ordering at a bar
Un cappuccino, per favore.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce per favore
Say it
pehr fah-VOH-reh
/per faˈvo.re/
Per is a quick pehr. Favore stresses VOH: fah-VOH-reh. Keep the r light with one tap of the tongue.
"Please" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| per favore | please The standard please in requests and orders. | The standard please in requests and orders. |
| per piacere | please Same meaning; common and slightly softer in tone for some speakers. | Same meaning; common and slightly softer in tone for some speakers. |
| per cortesia | please (kindly) More formal, useful with strangers or in service settings. | More formal, useful with strangers or in service settings. |
| ti prego | please, I'm begging you Stronger plea with someone you call tu. | Stronger plea with someone you call tu. |
How to use per favore in real life
- 1Ordering at a bar
Un cappuccino, per favore.
A cappuccino, please.
Short noun phrase plus per favore is the classic café order.
- 2Asking a friend for help
Mi passi l'acqua, per favore?
Can you pass me the water, please?
With tu, the verb is informal: mi passi.
- 3At a ticket window
Un biglietto per Roma, per favore.
One ticket to Rome, please.
Per favore is the standard please at service counters.
Mistakes English speakers make with per favore
Incorrect: Per favore un caffè dammi.
Correct: Dammi un caffè, per favore.
Italian usually puts per favore at the end of the request, not at the very start with scrambled word order.
Incorrect: Please, un caffè.
Correct: Un caffè, per favore.
Use the Italian phrase. English please inside an Italian sentence sounds odd.
Good to know
Italians often soften requests with tone and a smile as much as with per favore. In cafés, a clear noun phrase plus per favore is polite enough; long English-style please stacking is unnecessary.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering drinks with a friend in Bologna
ChatPal
Prendi qualcosa? Io prendo un tè, per favore.
Want something? I'll have a tea, please.
You
Sì, un'aranciata per me, per favore.
Yes, an orange soda for me, please.
ChatPal
Ok. Chiedo anche due bicchieri d'acqua, per piacere.
Ok. I'll also ask for two glasses of water, please.
You
Perfetto, grazie. Sei sempre organizzato!
Perfect, thanks. You're always organised!
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Please" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Please" in Italian
Where does per favore go in the sentence?
Usually at the end: Il conto, per favore. You can also start with per favore in careful speech, but the end position is the most common.
Is per piacere different from per favore?
The meaning is the same. Both are polite. Some speakers feel per piacere is a touch softer.
Do I need please with every order?
A simple un caffè, per favore is already polite. In very casual friend settings, tone alone can carry the request.
What is ti prego?
Ti prego is a stronger please, closer to I'm begging you. Save it for urgent or emotional requests with people you call tu.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- How to Learn Italian Fast and Speak with ConfidenceLearn how to learn Italian with a clear roadmap, speaking-first tactics and daily habits that turn basics into real conversation confidence.
- Translate Hello in Italian with ConfidenceLearn how to translate hello in Italian with context, pronunciation, and practice prompts. Master ciao, buongiorno, buonasera, and salve for real conversations.
