The phrases you will reach for
Polyfy’s polite phrases sequence moves from “please” and “thank you” through apologies and farewells. Use this table as a quick reference, not a script to memorize all at once.
| Spanish | English | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Por favor | Please | You make a request: Un café, por favor. |
| Gracias | Thank you | Someone helps you or gives you something. |
| De nada | You’re welcome | You reply to gracias. |
| Perdón | Excuse me / pardon | You need someone’s attention or pass by them; it can also be a brief apology. |
| Lo siento | I’m sorry | You apologize, especially for something upsetting. |
| No pasa nada | It’s okay / no problem | You reassure someone after a minor apology. This useful expression extends beyond the core lesson vocabulary. |
| Adiós / Hasta luego | Goodbye / See you later | You end a conversation; hasta luego suggests “see you later.” |
| Que tengas un buen día | Have a good day | You wish someone well as you part (familiar form); que tenga un buen día is more formal. |
Spanish usage varies by region and situation. You may also hear con permiso when someone needs to get past you.
At a counter
Here is how several short phrases can do their work in a single, ordinary exchange. Read it once in English, then try the Spanish aloud.
Customer: Perdón. Un café, por favor.Excuse me. A coffee, please.
Server: Claro. Aquí tienes.Of course. Here you go.
Customer: Gracias.Thank you.
Server: De nada. ¡Hasta luego!You’re welcome. See you later!
Notice the sequence: perdón gets attention, por favor softens the request, and gracias closes the exchange. You can use just one of them at a time.
Three easy mix-ups
- Perdón is not always the same as lo siento. Use perdón to interrupt or for a small “sorry”; lo siento is the clearer choice when you regret something that happened.
- Do not answer gracias with por favor. “You’re welcome” is de nada. Por favor belongs with a request.
- Keep the written accent in perdón and día. Also, a wish like que tengas un buen día is not a literal word-for-word substitution from English.
One small repetition. Next time you ask for something, pair the request with por favor. After you receive it, follow with gracias. Two short phrases form a useful habit.
Your turn
- Someone hands you a glass of water. What do you say? What might they reply?
- You need to politely get someone’s attention before asking a question. Which phrase can you start with?
- You accidentally bump into someone. Choose a brief apology; if you have caused real distress, choose a more heartfelt one.
- End a casual conversation with “See you later.”
Show suggested answers
- Gracias. They might say De nada.
- Perdón.
- Perdón for a brief apology; lo siento if a stronger apology is needed.
- Hasta luego.
Practice in short rounds
Begin Polyfy’s polite phrases sequence with Please (es-u1-l11), or jump to Excuse Me (es-u1-l14) to work on getting someone’s attention. Lessons through es-u1-l20 revisit thanks, apologies, and farewells. Select Spanish in the app before starting.
Go to the Excuse Me lesson · Go to the polite phrases review