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How do you say please in Hindi?

कृपया (kripya) is the textbook word, but Hindi mostly conveys "please" through the polite verb form instead. बैठिए (baithiye) already means "please sit" — no separate word needed.

Politeness lives in the verb

This is the part textbooks under-explain. Hindi verbs have a polite imperative form, and using it is saying please.

To a friendPolite (= "please …")
बैठो baithoबैठिए baithiye — please sit
सुनो sunoसुनिए suniye — please listen
बोलो boloबोलिए boliye — please speak
आओ aaoआइए aaiye — please come
दो doदीजिए dijiye — please give

The pattern is -iye. Learn that ending and you have politeness for every verb in the language.

So when is कृपया used?

Announcements, signs, formal writing. "कृपया लाइन में लगें" — please queue. Said out loud to a person it sounds stiff, a little like "kindly be seated".

The everyday reality

In cities most people just say please in English, mixed into Hindi, and nobody blinks. Ek chai dijiye, please is completely normal speech.

The one to avoid

Using the plain form — do, suno, baitho — with a stranger or an elder. It is not neutral; it is an order. This guide covers exactly where the line is.

Practise this with a teacher

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