kérjék

Kérjük is a Hungarian verb form derived from kérni, meaning to ask or to request. In contemporary usage it is typically employed at the beginning of a sentence to express a polite request and is commonly translated into English as “please,” especially in signs, notices, and formal communications.

Grammatically, kérjük is the present indicative, first-person plural form of kérni. It represents the speaker together with others (mi, “we”) making a request, and is often used by service staff, institutions, or authorities speaking on behalf of an organization. It is distinct from kérem, which is the singular polite form used when addressing one person.

Usage and function: kérjük softens a command and signals politeness in formal or public contexts. It appears in written and spoken Hungarian to solicit cooperation or information. In everyday conversation, kérem is more common when addressing a single person, whereas kérjük is used when speaking for a group or organization.

Common structures: the phrase is usually followed by a clause separated by a comma, for example: “Kérjük, adja meg adatait.”, “Kérjük, töltse ki az űrlapot.”, “Kérjük, tartsa be a szabályokat.” These examples illustrate how the form functions as a courteous lead-in to a request.

Related terms include kérem (please, I ask you), kérés (request), and kérni (to ask/request). In Hungarian etiquette, the choice between kérjük and kérem helps convey formality and the speaker’s stance relative to the addressee.