Please in Chinese: Polite and Proper Ways to Say Please in Chinese

Let's clear up a major myth right away. The truth is, there's no single magic word for "please" when learning Chinese.❌ What if I told you that constantly forcing an equivalent, like some learners do, can actually sound strange and overly formal? The real skill is mastering a mindset of politeness woven into your sentence structure, tone, and choice of verbs. So far as making requests is concerned, you'll love how flexible and nuanced it can be. Here’s something I’ve learned about getting what you need, gracefully.

Best not to say please in Chinese the way you do in English

Here’s the core concept you need to understand: Politeness in Chinese requests isn't usually achieved by slotting in a standalone word like "please." More or less, it’s built into the fabric of the question itself.

In English, "Please pass the salt" and "Pass the salt" have very different tones. In Chinese, the difference comes from other tools — softening particles, modal verbs, and the overall structure.

You’ll often see presented as the direct translation. And yes, it can be used, but its function is specific. is best for formal invitations, written instructions, or public announcements.

The upside is its clear formality and respect. The downside? Using 请 before every casual request in daily conversation — like (Please give me coffee) — can make you sound like a textbook, not a relaxed person at a cafe. It’s not wrong, but it’s often not the most natural choice for informal settings. In other words, it’s a tool, not a universal rule.

The real toolkit of softeners and verbs for a natural "please" sentence

Your main tools for everyday politeness are what I call "softening particles" and specific verb choices. These are the secret ingredients that make a request sound considerate, not commanding.

The most powerful softeners are the particles and .

Adding to the end of a suggestion makes it sound much more collaborative. It turns a statement into a gentle suggestion, inviting agreement. For example:

Similarly, adds a tone of urging or persuasion, often with a friendly, coaxing feel. It is something you’d say to a close friend. They don't mean "please," but they serve the same function of softening the directness. Such as:

Next, use modal verbs to frame your wish as a possibility, not a certainty. Verbs like (kěyǐ)可以 (Can/May) and (Can) are your best friends. ？ (Can you help me?) is infinitely more polite than the blunt (Help me). Adding the question particle at the end is non-negotiable for this approach. You’re literally asking about the other person’s ability or willingness, which is inherently respectful. You’re giving them a graceful exit.

Different "please" examples from cafes to boardrooms

Your approach must change with the setting and relationship. Politeness is all about calibrating the social distance. Let me break down a few common scenarios so you can hear the difference.

In a casual shop or restaurant, you don't need .

Now, for formal situations or with people of higher status, you do elevate the language.

All in all, some common pitfalls to avoid are:

Watch video with Migaku to learn different "please" in the Chinese language

I believe that at this point, you've got the general impression that - Ooo, it's so messy to learn when to use what kind of "please" expressions in Mandarin Chinese! The simple pass is - just use the clear statement or the modal verbs, and you'll be fine. To refine your Chinese speaking skills, you can also watch videos with Migaku to learn more tips on the context.

Migaku app can help generate Chinese subtitles even when the video does not feature any. For example, Migaku app can generate subtitles for this cut from The Knockout with the English translation. You can also click the words or sentences to add them to your flashcard collections and review them later.

This scene in the drama demonstrates that when ordering food, you can simply state your order with a polite tone, instead of using "please".

FAQs

"Please" is your pass to unlock high-frequency daily requests

I can't imagine a scenario of making no request at all when travelling to mainland China. That's how indispensable it is to express "please" in day-to-day life. You can't avoid using it when visiting a convenience store, dining at a restaurant, or communicating with the hotel staff. And guess what? Right now, you not only know , but also the most localized ways of conveying the meanings using softening particles and modal verbs. The next step is to get familiar with them when consuming the media!

Politeness is always rewarding!