How to Ask for Help in Italian: 'Mi fai un favore?' and 'Posso prendere in prestito i tuoi appunti?'
Learn polite Italian phrases to ask for favors and borrow notes, with pronunciation and cultural tips for beginner learners.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
Asking for help is a key social skill. In Italian, the way you ask depends on formality and the size of the favor. This lesson teaches you how to say 'Could you do me a favor?' and 'Can I borrow your notes?' politely and specifically. You'll learn the difference between informal tu and formal Lei, and how to use the verb prestare (to lend) correctly. By the end, you'll be able to request assistance in everyday situations without sounding rude or overly demanding.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a favor politely in Italian using informal and formal registers.
- ask to borrow something, such as notes or a pen, using the correct verb and structure.
- respond appropriately when someone asks me for a favor.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Mi fai un favore?
Can you do me a favor? (informal)
mee fai oon fah-VOH-reh
Use with friends, family, or peers. Literally 'Do you do me a favor?' The tone is friendly and direct.
Mi può fare un favore?
Could you do me a favor? (formal)
mee pwoh FAH-reh oon fah-VOH-reh
Use with strangers, elders, or in professional settings. The formal Lei form shows respect.
Posso prendere in prestito i tuoi appunti?
Can I borrow your notes? (informal)
POHS-soh PREHN-deh-reh een PREHS-tee-toh ee TWOY ap-POON-tee
Use with classmates or friends. 'Prendere in prestito' means 'to borrow'. 'Appunti' are notes.
Posso prendere in prestito i suoi appunti?
May I borrow your notes? (formal)
POHS-soh PREHN-deh-reh een PREHS-tee-toh ee SWOY ap-POON-tee
Use with a teacher or someone you don't know well. 'Suoi' is the formal possessive.
Ti dispiace se prendo in prestito la tua penna?
Do you mind if I borrow your pen? (informal)
tee dee-SPYAH-cheh seh PREHN-doh een PREHS-tee-toh lah TOO-ah PEHN-nah
A softer, more polite way to ask. 'Ti dispiace se...' means 'Do you mind if...'
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask for a favor, use 'Mi fai un favore?' (informal) or 'Mi può fare un favore?' (formal). To ask to borrow something, use 'Posso prendere in prestito...?' followed by the object. For example: 'Posso prendere in prestito il tuo libro?' (Can I borrow your book?). The verb 'prestare' means 'to lend', so 'Mi presti...?' (Will you lend me...?) is another common pattern: 'Mi presti la tua penna?' (Will you lend me your pen?).
When to use it
Use informal tu with friends, family, and peers. Use formal Lei with strangers, older people, and in professional contexts. For small favors, a simple 'Per favore' (please) or 'Ti dispiace se...' (Do you mind if...) is enough. For bigger requests, start with 'Scusa' (informal) or 'Mi scusi' (formal) to get attention. In southern Italy, you may hear 'Mi fai un piacere?' instead of 'favore', but both are understood everywhere.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Scusa, mi fai un favore?
Sorry, can you do me a favor?SKOO-zah, mee fai oon fah-VOH-rehCerto, dimmi.
Sure, tell me.CHEHR-toh, DEEM-meePosso prendere in prestito i tuoi appunti di storia?
Can I borrow your history notes?POHS-soh PREHN-deh-reh een PREHS-tee-toh ee TWOY ap-POON-tee dee STOH-ryahSì, te li presto volentieri. Ecco qua.
Yes, I'll lend them to you gladly. Here you go.see, teh lee PREHS-toh voh-lehn-TYEH-ree. EHK-koh kwahA little context goes a long way
In Italian, politeness often comes from tone and the use of conditional forms like 'potresti' (could you) or 'potrebbe' (could you, formal). Direct imperatives can sound rude. When asking for a favor, it's common to preface with 'Scusa' or 'Mi scusi'. In informal settings, friends may use 'Mi fai un favore?' without extra softening, but with strangers, always use the formal Lei and add 'per favore'. Regional differences exist: in some regions, 'favore' is replaced by 'piacere', but standard Italian uses 'favore'.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Posso prestare i tuoi appunti?' to mean 'Can I borrow your notes?'
Try this instead: 'Prestare' means 'to lend', not 'to borrow'. To say 'borrow', use 'prendere in prestito': 'Posso prendere in prestito i tuoi appunti?' Alternatively, 'Mi presti i tuoi appunti?' means 'Will you lend me your notes?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you formally ask your professor to do you a favor?
Show a sample answer
Mi può fare un favore?
This uses the formal Lei form 'può' and is appropriate for a professor. You could also say 'Le dispiace farmi un favore?' but 'Mi può fare un favore?' is straightforward and polite.
2Translate: 'Can I borrow your pen?' (informal)
Show a sample answer
Posso prendere in prestito la tua penna?
This uses 'prendere in prestito' for 'borrow' and the informal 'tua'. Another valid option is 'Mi presti la tua penna?' which means 'Will you lend me your pen?'
3What is the formal way to say 'your notes'?
Show a sample answer
i suoi appunti
The formal possessive for 'your' is 'suoi' (singular 'suo'). So 'i suoi appunti' means 'your notes' in a formal context.
To ask for help politely in Italian, use 'Mi fai un favore?' informally or 'Mi può fare un favore?' formally. To borrow something, say 'Posso prendere in prestito...?' Remember that 'prestare' means 'to lend', so don't confuse it with 'borrow'. Always match tu/Lei to the situation.
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