How to say please in Arabic

 مِنْ فَضْلِك! -  تَفَضَّل! 

In modern standard Arabic, there are two common ways to express the sense of (please). Let us familiarize ourselves with them and understand the distinctions in their language origins and usage.

2 ways to say please in Arabic

(1)

  مِنْ فَضْلِك! 

/min fađlik/

Please!

This phrase, which is made up of the following three words, literally means "from your favor (kindness)":

• The preposition  مِنْ /min/ meaning from

• The noun  فَضْل /fađl/ meaning favor or kindness

• The attached possessive pronoun  ك /k/ meaning “your”.

Consider the following examples:

  دَعْنِي أَمُرّ مِنْ فَضْلِك! 

/daʿnī `amurru min fađlik/

Let me pass, please!

  مِنْ فَضْلِكَ، بِكَمْ كِيلُو الطَّمَاطِم؟ 

How much is a kilo of tomatoes, please?

 هَلْ تُعِيدُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ فَضْلِك؟ 

/hal tuʿīdu dhālika min fađlik/

Could you please repeat that?

 مَرَّةً أُخْرَى مِنْ فَضْلِك؟ 

/marratan `ukhrâ min fađlik/

Another time, please!

The expression ( مِنْ فَضْلِك ) could be suffixed with dual and plural masculine and feminine endings to be addressed to different persons, as follows:

• ( مِنْ فَضْلِك ) /min fađlik/ for singular, regardless the gender (Most commonly used)

• ( مِنْ فَضْلِكَ ) /min fađlika/ for singular masculine

• ( مِنْ فَضْلِكِ ) /min fađliki/ for singular feminine

• ( مِنْ فَضْلِكمَا ) /min fađlikumā/ for dual

• ( مِنْ فَضْلِكُم ) /min fađlikum/ for plural masculine

• ( مِنْ فَضْلِكُنّ ) /min fađlikunna/ for plural feminine

(2)

 تَفَضَّل! 

/tafađđal/

Please!

One of the most popular Arabic words meaning “please,” is the word  تفَضَّل /tafađđal/. It’s an imperative verb that literally means “do a favor.". It also derives from the noun  فَضْل /fađl/, meaning favor.

The difference in usage between ( مِنْ فَضْلِك ) and ( تَفَضَّل ) is that the latter is usually used in polite questions or requests for permission, whereas the imperative verb "please" ( تَفَضَّل ) is typically used to beg the addressee to do something (please come, please go, please speak, please enter, etc.). However, in Arabic, we just say ( تَفَضَّل ) and omit the verb (request) after that, as it is evident from the context. In other words, to convey all of these meanings (please eat, please come, please go, please speak, please inter, etc.), we just say ( تَفَضَّل ).

Therefore, ( تَفَضَّل ) is used in a variety of contexts, and can take on many different meanings.

For instance, if you would like to welcome someone to your home, or invite them to take a seat, you can just say ( تَفَضَّل ).

If you are handing something to someone, you can also politely say ( تَفَضَّل ).

Finally, if you are giving someone the okay to start something, you can also say ( تَفَضَّل ).

Whether you are saying: Be my guest, go ahead, or please continue, ( تَفَضَّل ) is a respectful way to address someone.

The verbal expression ( تَفَضَّل ) could be conjugated with dual and plural; masculine and feminine persons, as follows:

• ( تَفَضَّل ) /tafađđal/ for singular masculine

• ( تَفَضَّلِي ) /tafađđalī/ for singular feminine

• ( تَفَضَّلا ) /tafađđalā/ for dual

• ( تَفَضَّلوا ) /tafađđalū/ for plural masculine

• ( تَفَضَّلْنَ ) /tafađđalna/ for plural feminine

In the written form, the popular saying used at the end of formal messages is the following:

 تَفَضَّلُوا بِقَبُولِ فَائِقِ الِاحْتِرَام! 

Meaning: Yours faithfully!

Literal meaning: please accept the assurances of my highest consideration!

The origin of please in Arabic and in the Qur'an:

In order to better understand these two Arabic terms meaning "please," let’s take a brief look at their origins in Arabic and the Qur'an. Both the prepositional and verbal phrases are derived from the Arabic rout ( فَ ضَ لَ ) “fa đa la”. According to modern Arabic dictionaries, this root word has four meanings:

• To be more than enough or more than one needs.

• To be left over; surplus; remaining.

• The unmerited favor (generosity or kindness) of someone, especially of Allah  فَضْل الله /fađlullâh/ “the favor of Allah”.

• To favor or prefer someone above someone.

The following Ayahs of the Qur'an mention the Arabic term ( فَضْل ) and some of its derivations:

"...  وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِي فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُ... "  [ هود : 4]

(11:4) “… and HE will bestow favor on everyone who merits favor…”

"...  وَلَا تَنسَوُا الْفَضْلَ بَيْنَكُمْ... " [ البقرة 237]

(2:237) “… And do not forget kindness / generosity among yourselves…”

" وَاللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِي الرِّزْقِ ... " [ النحل : 71]

(16: 71) “And Allah has favored some of you above others with provisions…”

" انظُرْ كَيْفَ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ وَلَلْآخِرَةُ أَكْبَرُ دَرَجَاتٍ وَأَكْبَرُ تَفْضِيلًا " [ الإسراء : 21]

(17:21) “See how We have favored some over others ˹in this life˺, but the Hereafter is certainly far greater in rank and in favor.”.

" فَقَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن قَوْمِهِ مَا هَٰذَا إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتَفَضَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ... " [ المؤمنون : 24]

(23:24) “Those of the chiefs of his people, who had rejected his Message, said, "This person is no more than a human being like yourselves. By this, he merely intends to obtain superiority over you…””

Therefore, please ( تَفَضَّل ) /tafađđal/ consider this and enjoy learning Arabic.

 Explore our comprehensive vocabulary lists to expand your word bank and unlock new ways to express yourself. And for those seeking a more personalized approach, Madinah Arabic also offers one-on-one Arabic classes .