🤝 Polite Vocab
Polite words and phrases make conversations friendlier and more respectful. Learning these everyday expressions will help you ask for help, thank people, apologize, and communicate naturally in English at school, work, while traveling, and in daily life. Each English phrase includes translations in several languages.
🟢 Everyday Polite Words
🙏 Please
use when asking for something or making a request
Please close the window.
🇫🇷 French: Fermez la fenêtre, s'il vous plaît.
🇩🇪 German: Bitte schließen Sie das Fenster.
🇮🇹 Italian: Per favore, chiudi la finestra.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Por favor, feche a janela.
use when asking for something or making a request
Please close the window.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Por favor, cierra la ventana.🇫🇷 French: Fermez la fenêtre, s'il vous plaît.
🇩🇪 German: Bitte schließen Sie das Fenster.
🇮🇹 Italian: Per favore, chiudi la finestra.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Por favor, feche a janela.
😊 Thank you
use to show appreciation
Thank you for your help.
🇫🇷 French: Merci pour votre aide.
🇩🇪 German: Danke für Ihre Hilfe.
🇮🇹 Italian: Grazie per il tuo aiuto.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Obrigado pela sua ajuda.
use to show appreciation
Thank you for your help.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Gracias por tu ayuda.🇫🇷 French: Merci pour votre aide.
🇩🇪 German: Danke für Ihre Hilfe.
🇮🇹 Italian: Grazie per il tuo aiuto.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Obrigado pela sua ajuda.
🤝 You're welcome
say this after someone thanks you
You're welcome. Have a wonderful day.
🇫🇷 French: De rien. Passez une merveilleuse journée.
🇩🇪 German: Bitte. Haben Sie einen wunderbaren Tag.
🇮🇹 Italian: Prego. Buona giornata.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: De nada. Tenha um dia maravilhoso.
say this after someone thanks you
You're welcome. Have a wonderful day.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: De nada. Que tengas un día maravilloso.🇫🇷 French: De rien. Passez une merveilleuse journée.
🇩🇪 German: Bitte. Haben Sie einen wunderbaren Tag.
🇮🇹 Italian: Prego. Buona giornata.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: De nada. Tenha um dia maravilhoso.
🙋 Excuse me
use to get someone's attention or pass by politely
Excuse me, is this seat taken?
🇫🇷 French: Excusez-moi, cette place est-elle prise ?
🇩🇪 German: Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz frei?
🇮🇹 Italian: Scusi, è libero questo posto?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Com licença, este lugar está ocupado?
use to get someone's attention or pass by politely
Excuse me, is this seat taken?
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Disculpe, ¿está ocupado este asiento?🇫🇷 French: Excusez-moi, cette place est-elle prise ?
🇩🇪 German: Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz frei?
🇮🇹 Italian: Scusi, è libero questo posto?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Com licença, este lugar está ocupado?
💙 I'm sorry
use when apologizing or showing sympathy
I'm sorry I'm late.
🇫🇷 French: Je suis désolé d'être en retard.
🇩🇪 German: Es tut mir leid, dass ich zu spät bin.
🇮🇹 Italian: Mi dispiace di essere in ritardo.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Desculpe o atraso.
use when apologizing or showing sympathy
I'm sorry I'm late.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Lo siento, llego tarde.🇫🇷 French: Je suis désolé d'être en retard.
🇩🇪 German: Es tut mir leid, dass ich zu spät bin.
🇮🇹 Italian: Mi dispiace di essere in ritardo.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Desculpe o atraso.
👍 No problem
a friendly reply when someone apologizes or thanks you
No problem. Happy to help.
🇫🇷 French: Pas de problème. Heureux d'aider.
🇩🇪 German: Kein Problem. Gerne geholfen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Nessun problema. Felice di aiutare.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sem problema. Feliz em ajudar.
a friendly reply when someone apologizes or thanks you
No problem. Happy to help.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: No hay problema. Encantado de ayudar.🇫🇷 French: Pas de problème. Heureux d'aider.
🇩🇪 German: Kein Problem. Gerne geholfen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Nessun problema. Felice di aiutare.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sem problema. Feliz em ajudar.
🟡 Making Polite Requests
☕ Could I...?
use when asking for something politely
Could I have a glass of water?
🇫🇷 French: Pourrais-je avoir un verre d'eau ?
🇩🇪 German: Könnte ich ein Glas Wasser haben?
🇮🇹 Italian: Potrei avere un bicchiere d'acqua?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Poderia me dar um copo de água?
use when asking for something politely
Could I have a glass of water?
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Podría darme un vaso de agua?🇫🇷 French: Pourrais-je avoir un verre d'eau ?
🇩🇪 German: Könnte ich ein Glas Wasser haben?
🇮🇹 Italian: Potrei avere un bicchiere d'acqua?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Poderia me dar um copo de água?
🤲 Could you...?
use when asking another person to do something
Could you open the door?
🇫🇷 French: Pourriez-vous ouvrir la porte ?
🇩🇪 German: Könnten Sie die Tür öffnen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Potresti aprire la porta?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Você poderia abrir a porta?
use when asking another person to do something
Could you open the door?
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Podrías abrir la puerta?🇫🇷 French: Pourriez-vous ouvrir la porte ?
🇩🇪 German: Könnten Sie die Tür öffnen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Potresti aprire la porta?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Você poderia abrir a porta?
🌟 I'd like...
a polite way to order food or request something
I'd like a bowl of soup, please.
🇫🇷 French: Je voudrais un bol de soupe, s'il vous plaît.
🇩🇪 German: Ich hätte gerne eine Schüssel Suppe, bitte.
🇮🇹 Italian: Vorrei una ciotola di zuppa, per favore.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Eu gostaria de uma tigela de sopa, por favor.
a polite way to order food or request something
I'd like a bowl of soup, please.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Quisiera un plato de sopa, por favor.🇫🇷 French: Je voudrais un bol de soupe, s'il vous plaît.
🇩🇪 German: Ich hätte gerne eine Schüssel Suppe, bitte.
🇮🇹 Italian: Vorrei una ciotola di zuppa, per favore.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Eu gostaria de uma tigela de sopa, por favor.
💬 Would you mind...?
a very polite way to make a request
Would you mind speaking a little slower?
🇫🇷 French: Cela vous dérangerait-il de parler un peu plus lentement ?
🇩🇪 German: Würde es Ihnen etwas ausmachen, etwas langsamer zu sprechen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Ti dispiacerebbe parlare un po' più lentamente?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Você se importaria de falar um pouco mais devagar?
a very polite way to make a request
Would you mind speaking a little slower?
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Te importaría hablar un poco más despacio?🇫🇷 French: Cela vous dérangerait-il de parler un peu plus lentement ?
🇩🇪 German: Würde es Ihnen etwas ausmachen, etwas langsamer zu sprechen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Ti dispiacerebbe parlare un po' più lentamente?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Você se importaria de falar um pouco mais devagar?
🔵 Friendly Responses
Certainly
a polite way to say yes
🇫🇷 French: Certainement
🇩🇪 German: Gewiss
🇮🇹 Italian: Certamente
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Certamente
a polite way to say yes
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Por supuesto🇫🇷 French: Certainement
🇩🇪 German: Gewiss
🇮🇹 Italian: Certamente
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Certamente
Of course
shows you are happy to help
🇫🇷 French: Bien sûr
🇩🇪 German: Natürlich
🇮🇹 Italian: Certo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Claro
shows you are happy to help
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Claro🇫🇷 French: Bien sûr
🇩🇪 German: Natürlich
🇮🇹 Italian: Certo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Claro
My pleasure
a warm response after helping someone
🇫🇷 French: Avec plaisir
🇩🇪 German: Gerne geschehen
🇮🇹 Italian: È un piacere
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Foi um prazer
a warm response after helping someone
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Es un placer🇫🇷 French: Avec plaisir
🇩🇪 German: Gerne geschehen
🇮🇹 Italian: È un piacere
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Foi um prazer
Absolutely
an enthusiastic way to agree
🇫🇷 French: Absolument
🇩🇪 German: Absolut
🇮🇹 Italian: Assolutamente
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Absolutamente
an enthusiastic way to agree
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Absolutamente🇫🇷 French: Absolument
🇩🇪 German: Absolut
🇮🇹 Italian: Assolutamente
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Absolutamente
I'd be happy to
a friendly reply when someone asks for help
🇫🇷 French: Je serais ravi
🇩🇪 German: Das mache ich gerne
🇮🇹 Italian: Sarei felice di farlo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Ficaria feliz em ajudar
a friendly reply when someone asks for help
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Estaré encantado🇫🇷 French: Je serais ravi
🇩🇪 German: Das mache ich gerne
🇮🇹 Italian: Sarei felice di farlo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Ficaria feliz em ajudar
Not at all
a polite reply after someone thanks or apologizes
🇫🇷 French: Pas du tout
🇩🇪 German: Überhaupt nicht
🇮🇹 Italian: Per niente
🇵🇹 Portuguese: De forma alguma
a polite reply after someone thanks or apologizes
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Para nada🇫🇷 French: Pas du tout
🇩🇪 German: Überhaupt nicht
🇮🇹 Italian: Per niente
🇵🇹 Portuguese: De forma alguma
⚠️ Common Beginner Mistakes
❌ Give me the menu.
✅ Could I see the menu, please?
a request sounds softer with could I and please
✅ Could I see the menu, please?
a request sounds softer with could I and please
❌ Move.
✅ Excuse me.
use this when you need to pass or get attention
✅ Excuse me.
use this when you need to pass or get attention
❌ I want coffee.
✅ I'd like a coffee, please.
I'd like is more polite than I want
✅ I'd like a coffee, please.
I'd like is more polite than I want
❌ What?
✅ Sorry?
use this if you did not hear someone
✅ Sorry?
use this if you did not hear someone
💬 Everyday Conversations
At a bookstore
excuse me, could you, thank you, you're welcome
A: Excuse me, could you help me find the travel section?
B: Certainly. It's on the second floor.
A: Thank you very much.
B: You're welcome. Enjoy your visit!
🇪🇸 B: Por supuesto. Está en el segundo piso.
🇪🇸 A: Muchas gracias.
🇪🇸 B: De nada. ¡Disfruta tu visita!
🇫🇷 A: Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous m'aider à trouver la section voyages ?
🇫🇷 B: Certainement. C'est au deuxième étage.
🇫🇷 A: Merci beaucoup.
🇫🇷 B: De rien. Bonne visite !
🇩🇪 A: Entschuldigung, könnten Sie mir helfen, den Reisebereich zu finden?
🇩🇪 B: Gewiss. Er ist im zweiten Stock.
🇩🇪 A: Vielen Dank.
🇩🇪 B: Bitte. Viel Spaß bei Ihrem Besuch!
🇮🇹 A: Scusi, potrebbe aiutarmi a trovare la sezione viaggi?
🇮🇹 B: Certamente. È al secondo piano.
🇮🇹 A: Grazie mille.
🇮🇹 B: Prego. Buona visita!
🇵🇹 A: Com licença, você poderia me ajudar a encontrar a seção de viagens?
🇵🇹 B: Certamente. Fica no segundo andar.
🇵🇹 A: Muito obrigado.
🇵🇹 B: De nada. Aproveite a visita!
excuse me, could you, thank you, you're welcome
A: Excuse me, could you help me find the travel section?
B: Certainly. It's on the second floor.
A: Thank you very much.
B: You're welcome. Enjoy your visit!
Show translations
🇪🇸 A: Disculpe, ¿podría ayudarme a encontrar la sección de viajes?🇪🇸 B: Por supuesto. Está en el segundo piso.
🇪🇸 A: Muchas gracias.
🇪🇸 B: De nada. ¡Disfruta tu visita!
🇫🇷 A: Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous m'aider à trouver la section voyages ?
🇫🇷 B: Certainement. C'est au deuxième étage.
🇫🇷 A: Merci beaucoup.
🇫🇷 B: De rien. Bonne visite !
🇩🇪 A: Entschuldigung, könnten Sie mir helfen, den Reisebereich zu finden?
🇩🇪 B: Gewiss. Er ist im zweiten Stock.
🇩🇪 A: Vielen Dank.
🇩🇪 B: Bitte. Viel Spaß bei Ihrem Besuch!
🇮🇹 A: Scusi, potrebbe aiutarmi a trovare la sezione viaggi?
🇮🇹 B: Certamente. È al secondo piano.
🇮🇹 A: Grazie mille.
🇮🇹 B: Prego. Buona visita!
🇵🇹 A: Com licença, você poderia me ajudar a encontrar a seção de viagens?
🇵🇹 B: Certamente. Fica no segundo andar.
🇵🇹 A: Muito obrigado.
🇵🇹 B: De nada. Aproveite a visita!
Borrowing something
could I, of course, thanks, no problem
A: Hi! Could I borrow your phone charger for a few minutes?
B: Of course.
A: Thanks, I really appreciate it.
B: No problem at all.
🇪🇸 B: Claro.
🇪🇸 A: Gracias, te lo agradezco mucho.
🇪🇸 B: No hay problema en absoluto.
🇫🇷 A: Bonjour ! Pourrais-je emprunter votre chargeur de téléphone quelques minutes ?
🇫🇷 B: Bien sûr.
🇫🇷 A: Merci, j'apprécie vraiment.
🇫🇷 B: Pas de problème du tout.
🇩🇪 A: Hallo! Könnte ich Ihr Telefonladegerät für ein paar Minuten ausleihen?
🇩🇪 B: Natürlich.
🇩🇪 A: Danke, ich schätze es wirklich.
🇩🇪 B: Überhaupt kein Problem.
🇮🇹 A: Ciao! Potrei prendere in prestito il tuo caricabatterie per qualche minuto?
🇮🇹 B: Certo.
🇮🇹 A: Grazie, lo apprezzo molto.
🇮🇹 B: Nessun problema.
🇵🇹 A: Oi! Posso pegar emprestado seu carregador de celular por alguns minutos?
🇵🇹 B: Claro.
🇵🇹 A: Obrigado, eu realmente aprecio.
🇵🇹 B: Sem problema nenhum.
could I, of course, thanks, no problem
A: Hi! Could I borrow your phone charger for a few minutes?
B: Of course.
A: Thanks, I really appreciate it.
B: No problem at all.
Show translations
🇪🇸 A: ¡Hola! ¿Podría prestarte el cargador del teléfono unos minutos?🇪🇸 B: Claro.
🇪🇸 A: Gracias, te lo agradezco mucho.
🇪🇸 B: No hay problema en absoluto.
🇫🇷 A: Bonjour ! Pourrais-je emprunter votre chargeur de téléphone quelques minutes ?
🇫🇷 B: Bien sûr.
🇫🇷 A: Merci, j'apprécie vraiment.
🇫🇷 B: Pas de problème du tout.
🇩🇪 A: Hallo! Könnte ich Ihr Telefonladegerät für ein paar Minuten ausleihen?
🇩🇪 B: Natürlich.
🇩🇪 A: Danke, ich schätze es wirklich.
🇩🇪 B: Überhaupt kein Problem.
🇮🇹 A: Ciao! Potrei prendere in prestito il tuo caricabatterie per qualche minuto?
🇮🇹 B: Certo.
🇮🇹 A: Grazie, lo apprezzo molto.
🇮🇹 B: Nessun problema.
🇵🇹 A: Oi! Posso pegar emprestado seu carregador de celular por alguns minutos?
🇵🇹 B: Claro.
🇵🇹 A: Obrigado, eu realmente aprecio.
🇵🇹 B: Sem problema nenhum.
📝 Example Sentences
🙏 Would you mind closing the gate behind you?
a polite request
🇫🇷 French: Cela vous dérangerait-il de fermer le portail derrière vous ?
🇩🇪 German: Würde es Ihnen etwas ausmachen, das Tor hinter sich zu schließen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Ti dispiacerebbe chiudere il cancello dietro di te?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Você se importaria de fechar o portão atrás de você?
a polite request
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Te importaría cerrar la puerta detrás de ti?🇫🇷 French: Cela vous dérangerait-il de fermer le portail derrière vous ?
🇩🇪 German: Würde es Ihnen etwas ausmachen, das Tor hinter sich zu schließen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Ti dispiacerebbe chiudere il cancello dietro di te?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Você se importaria de fechar o portão atrás de você?
📷 Could you take a picture of us, please?
asking someone for help
🇫🇷 French: Pourriez-vous nous prendre en photo, s'il vous plaît ?
🇩🇪 German: Könnten Sie bitte ein Foto von uns machen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Potresti farci una foto, per favore?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Você poderia tirar uma foto nossa, por favor?
asking someone for help
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Podrías tomarnos una foto, por favor?🇫🇷 French: Pourriez-vous nous prendre en photo, s'il vous plaît ?
🇩🇪 German: Könnten Sie bitte ein Foto von uns machen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Potresti farci una foto, per favore?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Você poderia tirar uma foto nossa, por favor?
🎁 Thank you for remembering my birthday.
showing appreciation
🇫🇷 French: Merci de vous souvenir de mon anniversaire.
🇩🇪 German: Danke, dass Sie sich an meinen Geburtstag erinnert haben.
🇮🇹 Italian: Grazie per aver ricordato il mio compleanno.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Obrigado por lembrar do meu aniversário.
showing appreciation
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Gracias por recordar mi cumpleaños.🇫🇷 French: Merci de vous souvenir de mon anniversaire.
🇩🇪 German: Danke, dass Sie sich an meinen Geburtstag erinnert haben.
🇮🇹 Italian: Grazie per aver ricordato il mio compleanno.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Obrigado por lembrar do meu aniversário.
🚆 Excuse me, does this train stop at the airport?
politely asking for information
🇫🇷 French: Excusez-moi, ce train s'arrête-t-il à l'aéroport ?
🇩🇪 German: Entschuldigung, hält dieser Zug am Flughafen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Scusi, questo treno si ferma all'aeroporto?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Com licença, este trem para no aeroporto?
politely asking for information
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Disculpe, ¿este tren para en el aeropuerto?🇫🇷 French: Excusez-moi, ce train s'arrête-t-il à l'aéroport ?
🇩🇪 German: Entschuldigung, hält dieser Zug am Flughafen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Scusi, questo treno si ferma all'aeroporto?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Com licença, este trem para no aeroporto?
🌧️ I'd appreciate your advice about driving in the rain.
a respectful way to ask for guidance
🇫🇷 French: J'apprécierais vos conseils pour conduire sous la pluie.
🇩🇪 German: Ich würde Ihren Rat zum Fahren bei Regen schätzen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Apprezzerei i tuoi consigli su come guidare sotto la pioggia.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Eu apreciaria seu conselho sobre dirigir na chuva.
a respectful way to ask for guidance
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Agradecería tu consejo sobre conducir bajo la lluvia.🇫🇷 French: J'apprécierais vos conseils pour conduire sous la pluie.
🇩🇪 German: Ich würde Ihren Rat zum Fahren bei Regen schätzen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Apprezzerei i tuoi consigli su come guidare sotto la pioggia.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Eu apreciaria seu conselho sobre dirigir na chuva.
💼 I'm sorry for the misunderstanding.
a sincere apology
🇫🇷 French: Je suis désolé pour le malentendu.
🇩🇪 German: Es tut mir leid wegen des Missverständnisses.
🇮🇹 Italian: Mi dispiace per il malinteso.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Desculpe o mal-entendido.
a sincere apology
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Lo siento por el malentendido.🇫🇷 French: Je suis désolé pour le malentendu.
🇩🇪 German: Es tut mir leid wegen des Missverständnisses.
🇮🇹 Italian: Mi dispiace per il malinteso.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Desculpe o mal-entendido.
🤝 My pleasure. I'm always happy to help.
a warm response after helping someone
🇫🇷 French: Avec plaisir. Je suis toujours heureux d'aider.
🇩🇪 German: Gerne geschehen. Ich helfe immer gerne.
🇮🇹 Italian: È un piacere. Sono sempre felice di aiutare.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Foi um prazer. Estou sempre feliz em ajudar.
a warm response after helping someone
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Es un placer. Siempre estoy feliz de ayudar.🇫🇷 French: Avec plaisir. Je suis toujours heureux d'aider.
🇩🇪 German: Gerne geschehen. Ich helfe immer gerne.
🇮🇹 Italian: È un piacere. Sono sempre felice di aiutare.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Foi um prazer. Estou sempre feliz em ajudar.
🎉 Please let me know if your plans change.
a polite request for future communication
🇫🇷 French: Veuillez me faire savoir si vos plans changent.
🇩🇪 German: Bitte lassen Sie mich wissen, wenn sich Ihre Pläne ändern.
🇮🇹 Italian: Per favore, fammi sapere se i tuoi piani cambiano.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Por favor, me avise se seus planos mudarem.
a polite request for future communication
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Por favor, avísame si cambian tus planes.🇫🇷 French: Veuillez me faire savoir si vos plans changent.
🇩🇪 German: Bitte lassen Sie mich wissen, wenn sich Ihre Pläne ändern.
🇮🇹 Italian: Per favore, fammi sapere se i tuoi piani cambiano.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Por favor, me avise se seus planos mudarem.
🏆 Final Practice
Choose the most polite expression for each situation.
- You want to ask for directions. → Excuse me, could you help me?
- You are ordering lunch. → I'd like a sandwich, please.
- Someone holds the door for you. → Thank you!
- Someone thanks you for your help. → You're welcome.
- You accidentally bump into someone. → I'm sorry.
- You need someone to repeat what they said. → Could you say that again, please?
Tip: Small words like please, thank you, excuse me, and I'm sorry make English sound more natural and friendly.