🇬🇧 English from 🇿🇦 Afrikaans Alle Woorde
please
/pliːz/
A1 adverb Essential Phrases
🇿🇦 Afrikaans: asseblief
Image for please
🇬🇧 Listen & Repeat (English)

Definition

🇬🇧 English
adverb

A word added to a request to make it polite. Essential for good manners in English.

Grammar Notes

🇬🇧 English

Adverb. Position: usually at the end of a sentence ('Can I have some water, please?') or at the beginning ('Please be quiet.'). Adding 'please' to a request makes it much more polite. 'Please' is also used to accept an offer: 'More tea?' — 'Yes, please!'

Cultural Notes

Saying 'please' is considered essential in British culture. Children are taught to say 'please' and 'thank you' from a very young age. Forgetting to say 'please' can seem rude, especially in shops, restaurants, and formal situations. The British are known for their politeness.

Example Sentences

Please can you help me. My car has broken down.

"Please can you help me. My car has broken down."

🇿🇦 "Kan jy my asseblief help? My motor het gaan staan."

Please help me climb up the ladder.

"Please help me climb up the ladder."

🇿🇦 "Help my asseblief om teen die leer op te klim."

Practice Quiz

1. Which sentence is the most polite?
2. If someone offers you tea and you want some, you say:

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