LanguageGuide: English Grammar: Introduction: Politeness

Politeness

polite (adj.)	educado	rude (adj.)	grosseiro
gentleman (n.)	cavalheiro	gentle (adj.)	gentil
jerk (n.)	idiota	bastard (n.)	bastardo
manners (n.)		well-mannered (adj.)

	He's a jerk! Ele é um idiota!
	Where are your manners? That's not very polite.

Please converts an order into a polite request.

	Please speak. Fale, por favor.
	Please be kind. Por favor, seja simpatico.

Sometimes it's best to ask someone to do something rather than to order them to do it. We leanred can and could on the previous page. Both are used to politely ask someone someone to do something. Although could is the past tense form of can, when used in this situation it isn't restricted to the past[???]

Excuse me, could you say that again? I didn't understand.

Could you teach me?

Could you assist me with my homework?

Could you talk to George for me?

-	Yes
-	of course
-	sure
-	no problem
-	maybe
-	I might.
-	I'll think about it.
-	perhaps
-	probably not
-	no
-	no way
-	absolutely not

-	Sim
-	Com certeza, claro
-	Claro
-	??
-	Talvez
-	Talvez
-	Eu vou pensar a respeito.
-	Talvez
-	Provavelmente não.
-	Não
-	De jeito nenhum.
	De maneira alguma.

Would is also used to politely ask someone to do something.

	Would you write a letter for him? Você escreveria uma carta para ele?
	Would you visit me in Chicago? Você me visitaria em Chicago?

It is also often used in asking people their preferences and likes.

	Would you like to learn French?
	`Would you prefer to go dowtown?

May is used to ask permission.

May I speak with Jim?

Posso falar com o Jim?

Let's is used to suggest doing something along with another person or persons.

	Let's go to library.
	Let's talk. Vamos falar.

permission

permiso

let - let	deixar
allow	permitir

	My parents don't allow me to go the mall by myself. Meus pais não me deixam ir às compras sozinha.
	Will you let me try? Você me deixará tentar?
	I need to get permission first. Preciso obter permissão antes.

mind	importar

Do you mind if I come?
Você se importa se eu vir?

	No, I don't mind.
	I prefer you didn't.

	Não, não me importo.
	Eu prefiro que você não faça isso.