French word

svp

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛsvepe/

Meaning

  • interjectionplease

Example

Donnez-moi de l'eau, svp.

Please give me some water.

Illustration for svp (please)

More examples

Parlez plus lentement, svp.

Please speak more slowly.

Core concept

A small written signal that softens a request.

Common phrases

  • parlez plus lentement, svp

    Please speak more slowly

  • répétez, svp

    Please repeat

  • fermez la porte, svp

    Please close the door

Similar words

s'il vous plaît: A respectful way to request something from a senior or unfamiliar person.
s'il te plaît: An informal way to ask someone close for something.
stp: A shortened form used in messages for a brief, casual request.

Definition in French

svp (souvent sans points) abrège s'il vous plaît et sert à marquer la politesse dans l'écrit informel.

Word origin

Svp is shortened from s'il vous plaît, with s'il formed by elision and plaît coming from the verb plaire.

Usage tips

  • Current informal French usually writes svp without periods, whereas the older punctuated form s.v.p. is also recognizable.

Word lists with this word