How to say "Per favore" in Vietnamese

In Vietnamese, politeness is deeply tied to social hierarchy, age, and relationship status. The way you say please depends on whether you’re speaking to someone older, younger, a stranger, or someone you know well. Using the wrong form can sound overly familiar or even rude. For beginners, the safest approach is to pair please with respectful terms like anh, chị, cô, or chú when addressing others, unless you’re in a very casual setting with peers.

1. For formal requests (strangers, elders, or in professional settings) Use vui lòng (literally “happy to fulfill”) to soften requests. It’s the most neutral and widely accepted polite form, suitable for shops, offices, or when asking someone older for help.

   • Xin vui lòng cho tôi xem hóa đơn. "Please let me see the receipt."
   • Vui lòng ngồi xuống. "Please take a seat."

2. For polite requests among equals or younger people Use làm ơn (literally “do a favor”) in casual or friendly contexts. It’s warm and approachable, but avoid using it with elders or in formal situations—it can sound too casual or even sarcastic.

   • Làm ơn đưa giùm tôi chai nước. "Please pass me that bottle of water."
   • Làm ơn đợi tôi một chút. "Please wait for me a moment."

3. For very formal or humble requests (e.g., to a superior or in writing) Use xin alone or with xin phép (literally “ask permission”) to show deference. This is common in written requests, emails, or when asking for permission from someone of higher status.

   • Xin cho tôi mượn quyển sách này. "Please let me borrow this book."
   • Xin phép anh cho tôi vào phòng. "Please allow me to enter the room."

4. For children or very close friends In extremely casual settings, Vietnamese speakers might skip please entirely or use nhé (a softener) at the end of the sentence. This is only appropriate with people you’re very familiar with.

   • Mở cửa giúp tôi nhé! "Open the door for me, okay?"
   • Đợi tôi chút nhé! "Wait for me a bit, okay?"

👉 Most useful for daily life: Memorize vui lòng first—it’s the safest and most versatile for most situations, from shops to offices. Pair it with xin chào (hello) when addressing strangers or elders to sound even more polite.