Dutch · Greetings & Phrases
Please
Used to make a polite request.
Mag ik een glas water, alsjeblieft?
May I have a glass of water, please?
'Alsjeblieft' derives from 'ik ben je lief' (I am dear to you) compressed into a polite request form, showing its evolution from expressing affection to politeness in requests.
'Alsjeblieft' is used informally in everyday conversations across the Netherlands and is often spoken, though it appears in written requests as well.