Formal

Formal

We could say that Spanish is quite a "direct" language in terms of formalities. If we compare it to other languages, like English for example, Spanish day-to-day conversation does not include as many formal words or structures as English does. This doesn't mean that Spanish people are rude - it is just a cultural thing.

However, we do have some expressions or turns of phrase that you can use when you want to add an element of politeness/formality. 

Using "por favor"

Adding the words "por favor" and "gracias" to any request is a first step to add politeness, whichever sentence you've used for your request. 

¿Puedes darme mi chaqueta?
 Can you give me my jacket?

¿Puedes darme mi chaqueta, por favor?
 Can you give me my jacket, please?

By simply adding "por favor" you are adding politeness to the sentence.  

Using usted/ustedes 

We use pronouns  (you singular informal) and vosotros (you plural informal) in general/relaxed conversation. If you need to add formallity to your conversation with someone in a more formal setting or with elderly people, you can use the formal pronouns usted (you singular formal) and ustedes (you plural formal), together with their conjugation in the 3rd person singular and plural of the verb:

Eh chico, ¿te has caído? ¿Estás bien? (informal)
Hey boy, did you fall over? Are you OK? 

Señora, ¿se ha caído? ¿Está usted bien? (formal)
Madam, did you fall over? Are you OK?

Vosotros necesitáis firmar aquí, ¿de acuerdo? (informal)
You need to sign here, OK? 

Ustedes necesitan firmar aquí, ¿de acuerdo? (formal)
You need to sign here, OK?

Remember that you don't always need to include the pronouns:

¿Puedes darme mi chaqueta? (informal)
 Can you give me my jacket?

¿Puede darme mi chaqueta, por favor? (formal)
Can you give me my jacket, please?

Bear in mind that the added level of formality implied when we use "ustedes" only applies in European Spanish because the vosotros form is not used in Latin America. Latin American Spanish only uses the pronoun "ustedes" to refer to both an informal you plural or a formal you plural. 

Using the conditional tense

Another way of adding politeness is to use the conditional tense:

¿Puede darme mi chaqueta, por favor?
Can you give me my jacket, please?

Podrías darme mi chaqueta, por favor?
Could you give me my jacket, please?

Podría darme mi chaqueta, por favor?
Could you give me my jacket, please?

Bear in mind that it would not be appropriate to use this structure with the conditional in a friendly conversation with someone you know well, instead it would seem odd. This structure is used in very formal situations and/or with people you do not know.

See also: Using poder to say could [do something] for polite requests and suggestions in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)

 

Using certain formal phrases

If you want to make sure you sound very formal, you can begin a request with "Te/le importa..." or even the more formal "Te/le importaría..."

¿Te importa bajar el volumen?
Do you mind turning the volume down?

¿Le importaría si subo el volúmen? 
Would you mind if I turn the volume up?

Other words that add politeness in Spanish are: perdón/ perdone /disculpa/disculpe.

Perdón, ¿la Avenida Zaragoza, por favor?
Excuse me, [where is] Avenida Zaragoza, please?

Perdone, ¿hay una farmacia por aquí?  
Excuse me, is there a chemist [US: pharmacy] around here?

Disculpa, no te había visto.
Sorry, I didn't see you.

Disculpe, ¿me presta su bolígrafo?"
Excuse me, can you lend me your pen?

 

 

 

Clever stuff happening!