How to ask permission, ask for favors, borrow something, and make excuses
In this lesson we are going to learn how to ask permission, ask for favors, borrow something, and make excuses. After learning these different expressions, you will be able to ask some important questions that you will never know when to ask.
Asking permission
When Spanish speakers want to ask permission, we usually use the verb “Poder” (power).
Puedo ir al baño? I can go to the bathroom?
Remember that in these cases we can use the impersonal “Se”. In that case you are asking in general.
Can you take photos? Can you take photos?
If you want to be a bit more polite, you can use the verb “power” in the conditional tense.
Could I put my things here for a moment? Can I leave my things here for a moment?
Or we could use the verb “molestar” (to bother), as follows:
Do you / you mind if I open the window? Do you mind if I open the window?
“Te” is used in informal conversation. It means “To you”
“The” is used in a formal conversation. Means “To You”
Asking for favors
Give / Lend / Pass (Give / Lend / Pass)
Informal, using “You”: Can you lend / give me? (Can you lend me … Can you give me?)
Formal, using “You”: Can I borrow / give? (Can you lend me … Can you give me?)
Informal / Courteous: Could you lend / give me? (Could you lend me … Could you give me?)
Formal / Courteous: Could you lend / give me? (Could you lend me … Could you give me?)
To order something that I will not return:
Informal: Do you have a pencil? You have a pencil?
Formal: Do you have a pencil? You have a pencil?
To order something from a waiter
Could you get me a drink? Could you get me a glass?
Can you get me a drink? Can you get me a glass?
Can you get me a drink? Can you get me a glass? * Please note that this is not the translation of the address. The direct translation would be “Can you bring me a glass?” which obviously doesn’t make much sense in English.
To make excuses:
We use “is that” to make excuses. After “is that” we express the reason why not.
Can you lend me the car? Can I borrow your car?
Sorry, I need to take it to the workshop. Sorry, I need to take it to the workshop.
Hopefully, you will be able to incorporate some of these expressions into your Spanish vocabulary right away. There will always be a time when you need to ask permission, borrow something, or make an excuse, so try to remember these expressions so that when you need to use them, you know what to say!