Por favor vs. favor de
Both por favor and favor de are used in Spanish to say please and make polite requests, but they differ significantly in their grammatical structure and level of formality. While por favor is the standard, everyday phrase that can be placed almost anywhere in a sentence, favor de is a formal, impersonal expression that must always be followed directly by an infinitive verb.
Por favor
A1The phrase por favor translates to please and is the most common, versatile way to make a polite verbal or written request in general conversation, allowing it to be used alongside conjugated verbs, nouns, or even standing entirely alone.
Pásame la sal, por favor.
(Pass me the salt, please.)
Por favor, cierra la puerta al salir.
(Please close the door when you leave.)
¿Me puede traer la cuenta, por favor?
(Can you bring me the bill, please?)
Un café con leche, por favor.
(A coffee with milk, please.)
Silencio, por favor.
(Silence, please.)
Dime, por favor, a qué hora empieza la película.
(Tell me, please, what time the movie starts.)
Por favor, no llegues tarde a la cena familiar.
(Please do not arrive late to the family dinner.)
Favor de
B2The phrase favor de translates to please do something and is used exclusively right before an infinitive verb to issue formal, impersonal instructions, commands, or public notices.
Favor de no fumar en esta área.
(Please do not smoke in this area.)
Favor de apagar sus teléfonos celulares antes de la función.
(Please turn off your cell phones before the show.)
Favor de abrocharse el cinturón de seguridad.
(Please fasten your seatbelt.)
Favor de mantener la puerta cerrada en todo momento.
(Please keep the door closed at all times.)
Favor de depositar la basura en su lugar y cuidar el parque.
(Please put the trash in its place and take care of the park.)
Favor de dejar un mensaje después del tono.
(Please leave a message after the tone.)
Favor de presentar su identificación en la entrada principal.
(Please present your identification at the main entrance.)
Summary
In summary, use por favor for personal, everyday interactions where you might put please at the beginning, middle, or end of a request. Reserve favor de for writing formal signs, official instructions, or automated announcements, keeping in mind that favor de must absolutely be followed by an infinitive verb.