How to use 请
请 + Verb
请 can introduce an action you politely ask the listener to perform. In a short request, it comes directly before the verb phrase. Longer requests may state the listener with 你 after 请, followed by the requested action and any details. The requested activity supplies the main content of the sentence.
Politeness also depends on the situation, wording, and tone; adding 请 does not make every demand equally considerate. Mandarin can use questions about willingness or ability and other expressions to make requests as well. Keep this request marker distinct from lexical uses of 请 meaning to invite somebody or treat them to something. The surrounding structure helps identify which function the word serves.
Examples with pinyin and English
请进。
Please come in.
请坐。
Please sit down.
请说。
Please speak.
请喝茶。
Please have some tea.
What to remember
- Put 请 before the requested action.
- 请你 can identify the listener explicitly.
- Tone and wording also shape politeness.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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