Nech sa páči

Here You Are

Level 1

Say Nech sa páči when you give someone something or invite them to do something: Nech sa páči, vaša káva.

How It Works

Nech sa páči literally means "may it please (you)". It is built with nech and the verb páčiť sa (to please, see páčiť sa + datív), but you can learn it as one fixed phrase.

When to use it:

  • Handing something over: Nech sa páči, vaša káva. (Here is your coffee.)
  • Inviting someone in or to sit: Nech sa páči, poďte ďalej. (Please, come in.)
  • Offering food or drink: Nech sa páči, ochutnajte. (Please, have a taste.)
  • Giving permission: Môžem? – Nech sa páči. (May I? – Go ahead.)

The phrase stays the same with ty and vy; the verb that follows shows the politeness, as in poď ďalej versus poďte ďalej. In casual speech you may hear the shorter páči sa. Prosím can also be said when handing something over.

Do not confuse it with Páči sa mi to (I like it), which uses the same verb in a different way.

Examples (6)

  1. Nech sa páči, vaša káva.

    Here's your coffee.

    Said when handing something over.

  2. Nech sa páči, poďte ďalej.

    Please, come in.

    An invitation. Poďte is the polite or plural command.

  3. Nech sa páči, sadnite si.

    Please, have a seat.

    Inviting a guest to sit down.

  4. – Môžem? – Nech sa páči.

    – May I? – Go ahead.

    Giving permission.

  5. Tu je kľúč, nech sa páči.

    Here is the key. Here you are.

    The phrase can also come at the end.

  6. Nech sa páči, ochutnajte.

    Please, have a taste.

    Offering food.

Common Mistakes

  • Using nech sa páči to ask for something.

    Nech sa páči, jednu kávu.
    Jednu kávu, prosím.

    Nech sa páči offers something to the other person. When you ask for something, say prosím.

  • Answering "Do you like it?" with nech sa páči.

    – Páči sa ti to? – Nech sa páči.
    – Páči sa ti to? – Áno, páči sa mi to.

    Nech sa páči means "here you are". To say that you like something, use páči sa mi.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Nech sa páčiLevel 1Here You Are

Learn This First

Before Here You Are, learn Thank You and Please. Nech sa páči answers or goes with prosím and ďakujem.

Words in This Pattern

nechpáčiť sa