lütfen

Lütfen is a Turkish adverb that functions as a polite marker meaning "please" or "kindly." It is used to soften requests, making statements or commands more courteous. In practice, lütfen can appear at the beginning of a sentence, before the verb phrase, or after an imperative to increase politeness. Examples include “Lütfen bana yardım eder misiniz?” and “Yardım eder misiniz, lütfen?” It also occurs in brief interjections, such as signs or customer-service prompts.

Etymology and history: Lütfen derives from the Turkish noun lütuf, meaning a favor, kindness, or benevolence, which itself comes from the Arabic luṭuf or luṭf meaning kindness or gentleness. The verb lütfetmek (to do a favor) contributed to the development of the adverbial form lütfen. In Ottoman Turkish and modern Turkish, lütfen has long functioned as a standard politeness marker and is widely used in both everyday speech and formal contexts.

Usage and pragmatics: The word is versatile and nearly universal in Turkish politeness conventions. It signals respect and consideration in interactions with strangers, service staff, authorities, and elders. While common in everyday conversation, excessive or insincere use may come across as ritualized. Lütfen is less forceful than more formal alternatives such as rica ederim or nazikçe rica ederim, but it remains the most common, neutral way to soften a request.

See also: Turkish politeness strategies; equivalent expressions in other languages, such as “please” in English.

Overall, lütfen is a foundational element of courteous speech in Turkish, embedded in both spoken and written communication.