Please vs. Kindly — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
"Please" is a polite request, while "kindly" is a courteous way of asking or suggesting; both express politeness but have nuanced usage.
Difference Between Please and Kindly
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Key Differences
"Please" and "kindly" are terms used to make requests or suggestions more polite. While both words are interchanged in many contexts, there are subtle differences in their tone and usage. "Please" is commonly used as an adverb or verb to emphasize a polite request or desire, whereas "kindly" primarily acts as an adverb indicating a gentle or kind manner.
In the English language, "please" is a versatile term and has been adopted more universally. It can be used in various situations from casual to formal. On the other hand, "kindly" has an old-fashioned touch and is often perceived as more formal or sometimes even stern, depending on the context.
When using "please," the emphasis is on the requester's desire or need. For instance, "Can you please pass the salt?" Here, "please" emphasizes the politeness of the request. Conversely, "kindly" places the focus on the manner in which the action is done. For example, "Kindly pass the salt," subtly suggests the act of passing the salt be done in a kind manner.
In some cultures, the use of "kindly" might come off as more authoritative. For instance, in a business context, "Kindly submit the report by Monday" might seem more directive than "Please submit the report by Monday." Both "please" and "kindly" intend to soften requests, but their tone can be perceived differently based on cultural or regional nuances.
Despite these subtle distinctions, it's crucial to understand that both "please" and "kindly" serve the primary purpose of adding politeness to statements. Their choice often depends on the speaker's preference, the specific context, and regional or cultural considerations.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Function
Polite request or expression of desire.
Courteous way of asking or suggesting.
Common Usage
Universally adopted for various situations.
Often perceived as more formal or old-fashioned.
Grammatical Role
Used mainly as an adverb or verb.
Primarily used as an adverb.
Tonal Nuance
Emphasizes the requester's desire or need.
Focuses on the manner in which the action should be done.
Cultural Perception
Generally seen as a neutral form of politeness.
Can sometimes be seen as more authoritative or directive.
Compare with Definitions
Please
A polite expression used to request something.
Please close the door.
Kindly
Indicates doing something in a kind manner.
He kindly offered his seat.
Please
Used to make a statement more polite.
Would you please be quiet?
Kindly
Expresses a courteous command.
Kindly be on time.
Please
Used to indicate agreement or acceptance.
Yes, please.
Kindly
Used to indicate a gentle or benevolent act.
She kindly assisted the lost tourist.
Please
A polite form of emphasis in questions.
What would you like, please?
Kindly
Used as a polite way of asking or suggesting something.
Kindly refrain from shouting.
Please
Cause to feel happy and satisfied
It pleased him to be seen with someone in the news
He arranged a fishing trip to please his son
Kindly
In a kind manner
‘Never mind,’ she said kindly
Please
Take only one's own wishes into consideration in deciding how to act or proceed
This is the first time in ages that I can just please myself
Kindly
Kind, warm-hearted, or gentle
He was a quiet, kindly man
Please
Used in polite requests or questions
Please address letters to the Editor
What type of fish is this, please?
Kindly
Of a sympathetic, helpful, or benevolent nature
A kindly interest.
A gentle, kindly soul.
Please
To give enjoyment, pleasure, or satisfaction to; make glad or contented.
Kindly
Having a kind personality; kind, warmhearted, sympathetic.
A kindly old man sits on the park bench every afternoon feeding pigeons.
Please
To be the will or desire of
May it please the court to admit this firearm as evidence.
Kindly
(dated) Favourable, gentle, pleasant, tidy, auspicious, beneficent.
Please
To give satisfaction or pleasure; be agreeable
Waiters who try hard to please.
Kindly
(archaic) Lawful.
Please
To have the will or desire; wish
Do as you please. Sit down, if you please.
Kindly
(obsolete) Natural; inherent to the kind or race.
Please
If it is your desire or pleasure; if you please. Used in polite requests
Please stand back. Pay attention, please.
Kindly
In a kind manner, out of kindness.
He kindly offered to take us to the station in his car.
Please
Yes. Used in polite affirmative replies to offers
May I help you? Please.
Kindly
In a favourable way.
Please
(ambitransitive) To make happy or satisfy; to give pleasure to.
Her presentation pleased the executives.
I'm pleased to see you've been behaving yourself.
Our new range of organic foods is sure to please.
Kindly
Used to make a polite request: please.
Kindly refrain from walking on the grass.
Kindly move your car out of the front yard.
Please
To desire; to will; to be pleased by.
Just do as you please.
He doesn't think, he just says whatever he pleases.
Kindly
(US) With kind acceptance; 1=used with take.
I don't take kindly to threats.
Aunt Daisy didn't take it kindly when we forgot her anniversary.
Please
Used to make a polite request.
Please, pass the bread.
Would you please sign this form?
Could you tell me the time, please?
May I take your order, please?
Kindly
(dialectal) Kind of, somewhat.
Please
Used as an affirmative to an offer.
—May I help you? —(Yes,) please.
Kindly
(archaic) Readily.
Please
An expression of annoyance or impatience.
Oh, please, do we have to hear that again?
Kindly
(obsolete) Naturally.
Please
(Cincinnati) Said as a request to repeat information.
Kindly
According to the kind or nature; natural.
The kindly fruits of the earth.
An herd of bulls whom kindly rage doth sting.
Whatsoever as the Son of God he may do, it is kindly forHim as the Son of Man to save the sons of men.
Please
To give pleasure to; to excite agreeable sensations or emotions in; to make glad; to gratify; to content; to satisfy.
I pray to God that it may plesen you.
What next I bring shall please thee, be assured.
Kindly
Humane; congenial; sympathetic; hence, disposed to do good to; benevolent; gracious; kind; helpful; as, kindly affections, words, acts, etc.
The shade by which my life was crossed, . . . Has made me kindly with my kind.
Please
To have or take pleasure in; hence, to choose; to wish; to desire; to will.
Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he.
A man doing as he wills, and doing as he pleases, are the same things in common speech.
Kindly
Favorable; mild; gentle; auspicious; beneficent.
In soft silence shed the kindly shower.
Should e'er a kindlier time ensue.
Please
To be the will or pleasure of; to seem good to; - used impersonally.
To-morrow, may it please you.
Kindly
Naturally; fitly.
Examine how kindly the Hebrew manners of speech mix and incorporate with the English language
Please
To afford or impart pleasure; to excite agreeable emotions.
What pleasing scemed, for her now pleases more.
For we that live to please, must please to live.
Kindly
In a kind manner; congenially; with good will; with a disposition to make others happy, or to oblige.
Be kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly love.
Please
To have pleasure; to be willing, as a matter of affording pleasure or showing favor; to vouchsafe; to consent.
Heavenly stranger, please to tasteThese bounties.
That he would please 8give me my liberty.
Kindly
Showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity;
Was charitable in his opinions of others
Kindly criticism
A kindly act
Sympathetic words
A large-hearted mentor
Please
Give pleasure to or be pleasing to;
These colors please the senses
A pleasing sensation
Kindly
Generously responsive;
Good-hearted but inept efforts to help
Take a kindly interest
A kindly gentleman
An openhearted gift to charity
Please
Be the will of or have the will (to);
He could do many things if he pleased
Kindly
Pleasant and agreeable;
A kindly climate
Kindly breeze
Please
Give satisfaction;
The waiters around her aim to please
Kindly
In a kind manner or out of kindness;
He spoke kindly to the boy
She kindly overlooked the mistake
Please
Used in polite request;
Please pay attention
Kindly
A formal or old-fashioned way to make a request.
Kindly submit your application.
Please
An expression of desire or preference.
Do whatever you please.
Common Curiosities
Is "kindly" more polite than "please"?
Both are polite, but "kindly" can sometimes come off as more authoritative.
Can "please" and "kindly" be used interchangeably?
Generally, yes, but "kindly" can sometimes sound more formal or old-fashioned.
How is "please" used in a sentence?
"Please" is used to make requests or statements more polite, e.g., "Please pass the salt."
Can "please" be used as a verb?
Yes, as in "That pleases me."
Is "please" more common than "kindly"?
In American English, "please" is more universally adopted than "kindly."
Is "kindly" outdated?
While it might sound old-fashioned in some contexts, "kindly" is still used in formal settings.
Can "kindly" indicate a way of doing something?
Yes, it can suggest doing something in a kind or gentle manner.
How do cultural differences affect the use of "kindly"?
In some cultures, "kindly" might come off as more directive or stern.
Which is more formal: "please" or "kindly"?
"Kindly" is often perceived as more formal than "please."
Can "kindly" sound demanding?
Depending on context and tone, "kindly" can sometimes sound authoritative.
Is it correct to say "Please kindly..."?
While grammatically correct, it's redundant and not commonly used.
Is "please" used globally in English-speaking regions?
Yes, "please" is widely understood and used across English-speaking regions.
What is the main function of "kindly"?
"Kindly" is used to request something in a courteous manner.
Is "please" always used for requests?
Mostly, but it can also express a desire or preference.
Are there situations where "please" is preferred over "kindly"?
Yes, in everyday informal conversations, "please" is more commonly used.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
