In 15 Seconds
- A sophisticated and extra-polite way to say please.
- Ideal for service staff, strangers, and professional environments.
- Softens requests to make them sound like kind invitations.
Meaning
It is a polite way to say 'please' or 'by your kindness' when you want to be extra respectful or soft in your request.
Key Examples
3 of 6Ordering at a cafe
Um café puro, por gentileza.
A black coffee, please.
Asking for the bill
Pode trazer a conta, por gentileza?
Can you bring the bill, please?
Asking a stranger for the time
Por gentileza, você sabe que horas são?
By your kindness, do you know what time it is?
Cultural Background
The phrase 'Gentileza gera gentileza' is a famous urban mantra in Brazil, originating from a street prophet in Rio. It has made the word 'gentileza' a symbol of social peace. While understood, 'por gentileza' is less common than 'se faz favor' or 'por favor'. Using it might mark you as a Brazilian speaker or someone using 'bookish' language. In offices, 'por gentileza' is often used to soften the hierarchy. A boss will use it with an assistant to avoid sounding like a dictator. Automated voices in Brazilian banks and airports almost exclusively use 'por gentileza' to maintain a professional brand image.
The 'Poderia' Combo
Always pair 'por gentileza' with 'Poderia' (Could you) for maximum politeness points.
Don't overdo it
Using it in every sentence can make you sound like you're mocking someone or being overly subservient.
In 15 Seconds
- A sophisticated and extra-polite way to say please.
- Ideal for service staff, strangers, and professional environments.
- Softens requests to make them sound like kind invitations.
What It Means
Por gentileza is the gold standard of politeness in Brazil. It literally translates to "by kindness." Think of it as a more elegant version of por favor. It shows you value the other person's effort. It turns a simple request into a gentle invitation. It is soft, sophisticated, and very effective.
How To Use It
You can place it at the start or end of a sentence. In a restaurant, you might say it to get the waiter's attention. When asking for directions, it softens the interruption. It works perfectly when you need a favor from a stranger. It also shines in professional emails to keep things smooth. Just drop it in whenever you want to sound like a class act.
When To Use It
Use it when you are in a store or a bank. Use it when speaking to someone older than you. It is perfect for customer service calls. If you are asking a colleague for a report, it adds a professional touch. It is great for formal events like weddings or business dinners. Use it whenever you want to ensure a positive response.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it with your best friends while grabbing a beer. It will sound like you are joking or being sarcastic. Avoid it with your siblings unless you want them to roll their eyes. It is too stiff for a casual text to your partner. If someone is stepping on your foot, don't be this polite. Use a quicker com licença or ei! instead.
Cultural Background
Brazilians value social harmony and "simpatia." Being direct can sometimes feel aggressive in Portuguese culture. Por gentileza acts as a social lubricant. It dates back to a more formal era of Portuguese speech. Today, it signals that you are well-mannered and educated. It is especially common in service industries to show high-level hospitality.
Common Variations
The most obvious variation is por favor. You might also hear faz a gentileza (do the kindness). In very formal settings, people use teria a gentileza de... (would you have the kindness to...). If you want to be even shorter, just a polite gentileza sua (kindness of yours) works after someone helps you. It’s all about that spirit of being a "gentleman" or "gentlewoman."
Usage Notes
This phrase is firmly in the formal register. It is the perfect choice for A2 learners who want to navigate public spaces in Brazil with grace and avoid sounding too demanding.
The 'Poderia' Combo
Always pair 'por gentileza' with 'Poderia' (Could you) for maximum politeness points.
Don't overdo it
Using it in every sentence can make you sound like you're mocking someone or being overly subservient.
The Brazilian 'Softener'
Brazilians hate being direct with requests. 'Por gentileza' is your best friend to avoid sounding rude.
Writing vs Speaking
It is even more common in professional emails than in spoken conversation.
Examples
6Um café puro, por gentileza.
A black coffee, please.
Makes the request sound much more respectful to the barista.
Pode trazer a conta, por gentileza?
Can you bring the bill, please?
Standard polite way to end a meal in a nice restaurant.
Por gentileza, você sabe que horas são?
By your kindness, do you know what time it is?
A great way to approach someone without being intrusive.
Poderia confirmar o recebimento, por gentileza?
Could you please confirm receipt?
Maintains a high level of professional decorum.
Pode lavar sua louça, por gentileza?
Could you wash your dishes, please?
The extreme politeness creates a humorous, passive-aggressive contrast.
Por gentileza, onde fica a estação de metrô?
Please, where is the subway station?
Shows you are a respectful tourist or visitor.
Test Yourself
Which phrase is most appropriate for a formal email to a client?
Poderia nos enviar o contrato, _______?
'Por gentileza' is the standard formal way to say 'please' in a business context.
Complete the sentence with the correct spelling.
Por ________ (kindness), aguarde um momento.
The word is derived from 'gentil' and uses the suffix '-eza' with a 'z'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Where would you most likely hear 'Por gentileza, mantenham-se atrás da linha amarela'?
This is a standard formal instruction used in public transport.
Complete the dialogue with the most polite option.
A: Com licença. B: Pois não? A: ________, onde fica a farmácia?
Combining 'Com licença' with 'Por gentileza' is the most respectful way to ask a stranger for help.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Levels of 'Please' in Portuguese
Where to use 'Por Gentileza'
Work
- • Emails
- • Meetings
- • Requests
Public
- • Directions
- • Subway
- • Banks
Service
- • Hotels
- • Restaurants
- • Shops
Practice Bank
4 exercisesPoderia nos enviar o contrato, _______?
'Por gentileza' is the standard formal way to say 'please' in a business context.
Por ________ (kindness), aguarde um momento.
The word is derived from 'gentil' and uses the suffix '-eza' with a 'z'.
Where would you most likely hear 'Por gentileza, mantenham-se atrás da linha amarela'?
This is a standard formal instruction used in public transport.
A: Com licença. B: Pois não? A: ________, onde fica a farmácia?
Combining 'Com licença' with 'Por gentileza' is the most respectful way to ask a stranger for help.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, it is considered a step up in formality and is very common in professional and service contexts.
Yes, but 'se faz favor' is more natural for the local ears. 'Por gentileza' will sound very Brazilian.
It is spelled with a 'z': g-e-n-t-i-l-e-z-a.
You can, but 'Por gentileza' is the standard fixed expression for 'please'. 'Com gentileza' means 'with kindness'.
No, it is the opposite of slang. Using it in a slang context would be ironic.
No, it is an invariable phrase. It's always 'por gentileza'.
Usually 'Pois não' (Certainly/Of course) or 'Com certeza'.
Yes, it is perfect for showing respect to a superior in a Brazilian office.
The word 'gentileza' appears, but the phrase 'por gentileza' as a 'please' is a more modern social construct.
Yes, e.g., 'Por gentileza, sente-se.' (Please, sit down.)
Only if you want to sound like a 19th-century gentleman or are being funny.
It means 'kindness begets kindness'. It's a very famous Brazilian saying.
Not better, just much more formal. It's rarely used in modern daily life.
Only if you are being 'coldly polite' or sarcastic.
Related Phrases
Por favor
synonymPlease
Por obséquio
specialized formBy favor/kindness
Com licença
similarExcuse me
Gentileza sua
builds onKind of you
Se faz favor
synonymPlease (PT-PT)
