How to say "Please" in Chinese

Meaning

A polite word used to make a request or demand less direct.

Usage

请 is the most common way to say 'please' in Mandarin Chinese. It is used in both spoken and written language to soften requests. Unlike in English, Chinese often omits 'please' in casual contexts, but it is essential in formal or polite situations. It can also mean 'to invite' or 'to ask' depending on context.

Example sentences

• Please sit down.

  请坐。

• Please give me the book.

  请把书给我。

• Please wait a moment.

  请稍等。

Related expressions

• 麻烦má fan— A more casual way to say 'please' or 'to bother', often used when asking for a favor.

  More informal than 请 and implies a sense of inconvenience.

• 劳驾láo jià— A polite way to say 'please' or 'excuse me', often used when asking someone to move or make way.

  More formal and often used in public or service contexts.