Meaning
La expresión «Would you please» se utiliza en inglés para hacer una petición de manera educada y respetuosa. Es una forma de suavizar una solicitud, haciendo que la otra persona se sienta más cómoda al momento de responder. En español, esta expresión se podría traducir como «¿Podría usted por favor...?». Sin embargo, en este caso, es importante notar que el uso de «Would you please» implica un nivel de formalidad y cortesía.
Por ejemplo, si quieres pedirle a alguien que te pase la sal en la mesa, podrías decir: «Would you please pass the salt?». Esta manera de formular la pregunta muestra deferencia y buena educación, lo que puede ser especialmente importante en situaciones formales o cuando te diriges a alguien que no conoces bien.
En resumen, «Would you please» es una herramienta muy útil para comunicarte de manera efectiva y respetuosa en inglés, evitando sonar demasiado directo o autoritario.
Today's Sentences
- Would you please be quiet?
- Would you please close the door?
- Would you please grab my car keys?
- Would you please turn down the volume?
- Would you please hold my place in line?
- Writer's Note
01
Would you please be quiet?
Situation 1
Would you please be quiet?
Excuse me?
I’ve been sitting in this coffee shop listening to you talk on the phone for the past 20 minutes.
I had no idea I was that loud.
I apologize.
Me disculpo.
Situation 2
Would you please be quiet?
Why?
This is a restricted noise area.
We’re trying to protect the concentration of those using the library.
Estamos tratando de proteger la concentración de quienes utilizan la biblioteca.
I’ll keep my voice down.
02
Would you please close the door?
Situation 1
Get some sleep.
Good night.
Buenas noches.
Would you please close the door?
Sure thing.
Thanks, good night.
Situation 2
Professor, I need to talk about something with you.
Come in.
Would you please close the door?
¿Podría cerrar la puerta, por favor?
Sure.
I would like to appeal my grade with you.
Me gustaría apelar mi calificación contigo.
Do you have the necessary forms for the appeal?
03
Would you please grab my car keys?
Situation 1
I’m leaving for work now.
Ok.
See you at dinner.
Nos vemos en la cena.
Oh no, would you please grab my car keys?
Here, you left them on the dresser.
Situation 2
Would you please grab my car keys?
Sure.
Where are they?
¿Dónde están?
They should be on the island in the kitchen.
Found them!
04
Would you please turn down the volume?
Situation 1
Would you please turn down the volume?
I’m sorry.
Was the music too loud?
¿La música estaba demasiado alta?
Yes, I have to get up early tomorrow.
I apologize.
We’re having a party here but I’ll keep the music to a minimum.
Estamos teniendo una fiesta aquí, pero mantendré la música al mínimo.
Situation 2
Would you please turn down the volume?
Is the TV bothering you?
I’m trying to study for my exam.
Sorry about that.
I’ll turn it down.
Voy a bajarle el volumen.
05
Would you please hold my place in line?
Situation 1
Excuse me, would you please hold my place in line?
Unfortunately, no I can’t.
Why not?
Well, it wouldn’t be fair to the others waiting in line.
Situation 2
I’m sorry to ask but would you please hold my place in line?
Sure.
Will you be long?
¿Te tardarás mucho?
No, not at all.
I just need to take my daughter to the restroom.
Solo necesito llevar a mi hija al baño.
Don’t worry.
I’ll keep your place.
Mantendré tu lugar.
Writer's Note
Kind of vs. Sort of
"Sort of" and "kind of" are nearly always interchangeable.
You use "kind of/sort of" when you want to say that something or someone can be roughly described in a particular way.
Since we’ve covered "kind of" above, here are some "sort of" examples.
Q. Are you feeling better?
A. Sort of.
A. Más o menos.
Q. We’ve got some new types that have come in. How about these ones?
A. That’s the sort of tent I was looking for.
A. Ese es el tipo de tienda que estaba buscando.
Q. What do you do when you’re at home?
A. I enjoy listening to music, drawing, that sort of thing.
A. Disfruto escuchando música, dibujando, ese tipo de cosas.
Q. Is something wrong with the car?
A. Tire problems, squeaking brakes, these sorts of things.
A. Problemas con las llantas, frenos que chirrían, este tipo de cosas.
