please
"Alstublieft" is the standard Dutch word for "please." It is a contraction of "als het u blieft," which literally translates to "if it pleases you." The mental image is one of offering a request with a polite, deferential bow, acknowledging that you are asking for a favor from someone you may not know well or someone to whom you wish to show respect. While "alstublieft" is the formal way to say please, it is also used in many other contexts. You will hear it when handing someone an item (like "here you go"), when responding to "dank u" (as in "you're welcome"), or even to get someone's attention in a shop. For friends or family, you might use the shorter, informal version "alsjeblieft."
In conversation
Ordering a coffee
Mag ik een koffie, alstublieft?
May I have a coffee, please?
Natuurlijk, hier is uw koffie.
Of course, here is your coffee.
Using 'alstublieft' at the end of a request makes it polite and standard.
Handing over a document
Hier zijn de papieren.
Here are the papers.
Alstublieft.
Here you go.
When handing something to someone, 'alstublieft' acts as 'here you go'.
Examples
Een glas water, alstublieft.
A glass of water, please.
Zou je de deur kunnen sluiten, alsjeblieft?
Could you close the door, please?
Alstublieft, neem de tijd om het formulier zorgvuldig in te vullen.
Please, take the time to fill out the form carefully.
