Requests and Offers

Esperanto requests range from a plain -u verb to bonvolu + infinitive, a question with povi, or an explicit mi petas, ke … clause. Offers reverse the direction: the speaker proposes their own action with Ĉu mi + -u?, Ĉu vi volas, ke mi + -u?, or Mi povas …, se vi volas.

No single form means “polite” in every context. Urgency, burden, tone, and the relationship between speakers all matter. The grammar supplies a scale; a natural speaker chooses the lightest frame that still respects the listener's freedom to respond.

Direct requests with -u

The volitive ending -u directly presents an action as wanted: Atendu, Venu, Skribu al mi. The subject vi is normally omitted because the addressee is obvious.

This form is (neutral) in instructions, coordination between equals, and urgent warnings. It can sound abrupt when the action is a favor rather than an expected part of the situation. Adding bonvolu, a reason, or a question can recognize the burden.

The contrast is pragmatic, not a contrast between grammatical and ungrammatical language. The direct form is appropriate during an emergency; the softened form is often better for an ordinary favor.

Bonvolu takes an infinitive

The standard productive frame is Bonvolu + infinitive: Bonvolu sidi, atendi, respondi. Although it literally invokes the listener's good will, the whole expression functions as “please.” The following action uses -i, not another -u.

The negative ne normally stands before the infinitive. In signs, service encounters, email, and conversation, this construction is (neutral). Repeating it in every sentence can sound bureaucratic, so a longer request may use it once and then coordinate additional actions.

PMEG notes an important historical distinction. Zamenhof used volu + infinitive, while bonvolu + infinitive became the ordinary traditional pattern later and is now firmly established. Volu sidiĝi is understandable but (archaic or deliberately old-fashioned) in everyday conversation. Bonvole + -u—for example, Bonvole sidu—is a logical accepted alternative, but it is less usual than Bonvolu sidi.

Question-shaped requests

Ĉu vi povas + infinitive? literally asks about present ability, but context often turns it into a request. Ĉu vi povus + infinitive? uses the conditional to make the proposal more remote and therefore softer.

The conditional is useful for a substantial favor, a stranger, or a professional message. It is not automatically more respectful to pile up several softeners. Ĉu vi eble povus bonvole provi … can burden the listener with politeness machinery instead of stating the action clearly.

If ability is genuinely in question, give context. Compare Ĉu vi povas levi ĉi tiun valizon? as a test of physical ability with the same sentence said beside the luggage as a request. Esperanto, like English, relies on the situation here.

Ĉu vi volus + infinitive? asks about willingness and may sound like an invitation or proposal rather than a mere ability request.

Explicit requests with peti

Use Mi petas, ke + subject + -u when you need to state the requested actor or embed a detailed action. The main verb petas presents the request; the subordinate -u presents the desired action.

This frame is (neutral to formal), depending on wording. Mi petas vin: venu is also possible as a direct appeal with a separate volitive clause, but mi petas, ke vi venu makes the syntax particularly clear. The -u follows from the desired status of the subordinate action, not from English tense.

Offering your own action

With a first-person subject, Ĉu mi + -u? asks whether the speaker should perform an action. It is a compact offer, not a request for permission in the narrow legal sense.

The fuller Ĉu vi volas, ke mi + -u? explicitly makes the listener's preference the condition. Mi povas + infinitive, se vi volas offers ability without pressuring the listener.

For an object rather than an action, use oferti ion al iu or an ordinary question: Ĉu vi volas teon? The recipient follows al.

Accepting and declining

Accept an offer with Jes, dankon, Volonte, or Jes, bonvolu, depending on whether you emphasize gratitude, willingness, or “please do.” Decline with Ne, dankon and, when useful, a brief reason. Esperanto does not require an invented excuse.

The response shows why a question-shaped request is useful: it leaves grammatical space for refusal. In a power-unequal situation, however, a question can still function as an order. Politeness is a social interpretation, not a property guaranteed by the question mark.

Asking for an object, information, or permission

Not every request asks someone to perform a named action. For an object, Ĉu mi povas ricevi …? and Bonvolu doni al mi … are transparent. In a shop or café, Mi ŝatus … presents a courteous preference without pretending that the transaction is uncertain.

For information, ask the content directly: Kiam foriras la lasta trajno? Add Ĉu vi povus diri al mi …? when the act of helping is socially relevant, but do not mechanically wrap every simple question in a long request formula.

For permission, Ĉu mi rajtas + infinitive? asks whether an action is allowed. Ĉu mi povas …? may ask either permission or practical possibility. The difference matters in rules and institutions: Ĉu mi rajtas parki ĉi tie? concerns authorization; Ĉu mi povas parki ĉi tie per longa kamioneto? may concern available space.

The dedicated page on making direct requests explores when a compact request is socially preferable to indirect wording.

A final practical test is whether the listener can identify the requested action, actor, and deadline. Softness cannot rescue an underspecified request. Ĉu vi povus helpi? is fine when both people see the fallen boxes; in email, state what help means and by when it is needed.

Common Mistakes

1. Stacking two volitive forms after bonvolu.

2. Using the indicative in the requested ke-clause.

3. Giving the recipient of oferti as a direct object.

4. Translating “ask someone to help” word for word.

Key Takeaways

• Plain -u is direct and can be neutral; soften a favor with bonvolu or a question when appropriate.
• Use bonvolu + infinitive and mi petas, ke + -u.
• Ĉu vi povus …? softens a request; Ĉu mi …-u? offers your own action.
• A grammatical question still exerts social pressure when refusal is not realistically possible.