por favor/faz favor

destroyer · Post by **destroyer** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:10 am

Can anyone tell me the distinction between these two ways of saying please? I've heard both used althoug faz (pronounced fash I think) favor I've only heard used to waiters. My stock of Portuguese phrases is increasing but I'm puzzled by this. Don't want to use faz favor if it's patronising obviously.

Soos · Post by **Soos** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:47 pm

I think Por Favor is more of a pleading. Basic please is Faz.

ceh · Post by **ceh** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:06 pm

I've been told that faz favor is more of an Algarve phrase rather that por favor which is the phrase which is taught in language classes etc.

Sharen Crane · Post by **Sharen Crane** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:09 pm

My Portuguese (not just for use in the Algarve of course) phrase book has faz favor as the phrase for please. there is no mention of por favor, which I have always assumed to be Spanish in any case!

tomgibson · Post by **tomgibson** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:52 pm

My understanding is that both expressions are equally acceptable.

However I have no idea as to how they originated.

blue · Post by **blue** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:21 pm

I was taught faz favor & told por favor is Spanish though acceptable & widely used in Portugal.

destroyer · Post by **destroyer** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:59 pm

Thanks all. I'm a faz man from now on, at the risk of being regarded as a bit of a pleader. To complicate things, someone else has told me one should actually say "se faz favor"! Por favor certainly seems in wider usage in dealing with tourists.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:24 pm

se faz favor - "if you please"

lukyluke · Post by **lukyluke** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:35 am

slight difference. pratically none.

posso sentar-me aqui, por favor --- can i have a seat, please?

faz favor ---- by all means, sit down.