Polite requests in Russian. The most polite request in Russian

3.5.1.2. Expressing a request in Russian communicative culture

In the Russian language, a set of models serving the speech act Request, is also quite diverse, as evidenced by the results of studies by many authors [Formanovskaya 1984, 1994, 1998, 2002; Belyaeva 1992; Shulzhenko 1992; Egorova 1995; Kharcharek 1998 and others]. As in English, a request can be expressed directly or indirectly using imperative, declarative, interrogative and extended statements. However, the frequency and preference of their use, as well as the areas in which they are used in English and Russian, differ significantly.

Imperative statements. The main difference in the ways of expressing a request in English and Russian communication concerns the use of the imperative. If, as noted, English politeness imposes strict restrictions on its use, in Russian communication the imperative is the main way of expressing a request. An imperative statement, the core of which is the imperative mood of the verb - Do this please - the most frequent embodiment of a request [Formanovskaya 1998: 204]. According to the observations of researchers, in this RA the imperative is used in Russian 19 times more often than in English; two-thirds of all requestive utterances in the Russian language are made up of the imperative, which has no semantic variants (see [Egorova 1995]).

Foreign researchers also pay attention to the widespread use of the imperative in Russian communication, emphasizing that the Russian imperative is significantly different from the English one. In russian language Do this please is a neutral, unmarked way of expressing a request. The scope of use of imperative statements when expressing a request is much wider; it covers all levels of politeness.

As N.I. Formanovskaya rightly notes, an imperatively expressed request in communication can be “read” by the addressee from the point of view of one or another degree of attention, politeness, gentleness or exactingness shown to him [Formanovskaya 1998: 204]. That is, depending on many factors, both linguistic, paralinguistic and extralinguistic, an imperative request may have different illocutionary force in the Russian language. Let us recall that in English utterances constructed according to the model Do it please are an indicator of a low level of politeness and are characteristic only of informal communication (and in very limited contexts).

To actualize polite relations between communicants and reduce the categoricalness of statements in the Russian language, there is also a number of linguistic means, among which the following should be mentioned:

– politeness marker Please,

– you / You are the form,

– affectionate and diminutive forms of address (son, son, Serezhenka, daughter, Mashenka),

– various minimizers used to reduce the “social price” of the subject of the request and reduce the costs of the addressee (a little, small, a drop, a sip, a second, for a minute and etc.);

– doubling the expression of the request (Please, please, please).

Word Please, as noted, has a stronger pragmatic meaning in Russian than English please. It's no coincidence that it's called magical in a word. Used with an imperative, it softens the categorical nature of its sound and transforms the command into a request.

Besides Please, An effective means of enhancing the politeness of an imperative statement is to address You and by first name and patronymic. Phrase Vladimir Ivanovich, please come to my office in the perception of Russians, it sounds like a polite request, and not a command (intonation, which, as already noted, plays an important role in determining the pragmatics of a statement, is not taken into account by us).

In the informal sphere of communication, diminutive suffixes play an important role, as in addresses (friend, son, baby, Manechka), and in other names: Son, please help me / Manechka, go to sleep more often To(in family). This means of softening the imperative is also used outside the intimate sphere of communication - with strangers and little acquaintances: Mouth open(at the dentist); Son, give in grandma's place (in the bus).

As in English, it is possible to use various minimizers that reduce the “price” of a request: Wait a second (just a second)/Sit with me just a minute/Pour it for me a little bit juice / Serve leaf paper Thus, here we see the implementation of the “minimize the degree of intervention” strategy.

Request modifiers with the meaning of doubt, uncertainty, characteristic of the English language and used to soften a request, are practically not used in the Russian language. On the contrary, the means of internal modification of requestive constructions in the Russian language are aimed not at softening the request, but at intensifying it: Do me a favor / Do not refuse a favor / Do not consider it a labor / Be kind / Be kind, do it, please etc. A double request (using a double imperative!) does not reduce, but, on the contrary, increases the degree of politeness.

From the point of view of intercultural pragmatics, these statements are very interesting. They contain a certain external paradox. On the one hand, the listed modifiers are actualizers of politeness, on the other hand, they are expressed in the form of an imperative, that is, one statement contains two imperative verbs, which doubles the request and increases the pressure on the addressee. Obviously, the level of politeness in these statements is increased by indirect assessments of the addressee’s qualities (kind, kind) and an indication of the significance of the actions expected from him (favor, courtesy) as well as the peculiarity of the semantics of the Russian verb I beg, which, as we have already noted, referring to the observation of Anna A. Zaliznyak, in contrast to the English ask puts the speaker not above the interlocutor, but below. As a result, persistent appeal to the addressee is not perceived as a violation of etiquette norms, but, on the contrary, increases the degree of politeness.

These statements are marked. They are characteristic of a high level of politeness and are more often used by older and middle-aged people. At the same time, increased politeness demonstrates the social status of the speaker, and not the high price of the service, since they can be used when making a very minor request (transfer money for a ticket, move up in transport) (see [Formanovskaya 1998: 205]). For familiar-friendly communication, a similar statement is Be a friend, do it where we also observe the strengthening of the request through a double imperative.

Interrogative statements. In Russian communicative culture, a request can also be conveyed indirectly - through interrogative statements, but their share is significantly lower than in English, where this is the main way of expressing a request (see Appendix, Tables No. 1–3). Russian interrogative constructions are not as diverse, and they convey fewer shades of politeness. Among them, object-oriented and subject-oriented questions are also distinguished, but their meanings, situations of use and frequency differ.

Requests for action are expressed only through object-oriented questions. From a semantic point of view, these can be questions about the addressee’s intention to perform an action and questions about his ability to perform an action. The first ones are formalized using a verb in the future tense (in the affirmative or negative form): Are you going to the store? Will you buy me ice cream? / Can you help me write a letter? / Won’t you move? /Can you tell me what time it is? Questions about the addressee’s ability to perform an action are formulated using the verb be able(in the affirmative and negative form, in the indicative and subjunctive mood): Can you (not) hand me a dictionary? / Could you explain this rule to me? / Could you (not) give him the information? Questions with a negative particle Not more typical of a request, they are distinguished by a greater degree of politeness, since they allow a negative answer and provide the addressee with a choice.

Subject-oriented statements are characteristic mainly of requests for permission. Most often, this is a question from the subject about permission to perform an action: Can I borrow your pen? There are also questions about the speaker’s ability to make a request: Can I ask you (you) to help me? / Could I ask you (you) for a favor? Impersonal constructions are also quite frequent: Can (me) do this? / Can I have a menu?(Perhaps this is short for Can I ask you to bring me a menu?).

In both English and Russian, verbs that form interrogative statements can be used in conditional and negative form, but there is no complete analogy in meaning. In both languages, utterances with verbs in the subjunctive mood are less categorical than their pairs with verbs in the indicative mood, and, accordingly, more polite.

There is a clear discrepancy regarding negative statements. Russian negative statements, which, as already noted, provide the addressee with the opportunity to respond negatively, are more polite than affirmative ones (Cf.: Could you do this? – Could you do this?). In English, affirmative statements are more polite, since negative ones contain a greater incentive to give an affirmative answer. (Could you do that? – Couldn't you do that?), they also contain surprise and some reproach towards the listener (Can't you do it? /Can't you do it?). Thus, if the English language is characterized by interrogative affirmative statements, then the Russian language is characterized by interrogative negative statements.

When expressing a question-resolution in Russian there is no such gradation of politeness that is formed in English by statements with modal verbs can / could / may / might. In the languages being compared, there are differences not only in the question-resolution models and the degree of politeness they convey, but also in the frequency of their use. Question-resolution is used in Russian communication much less frequently than in English. Perhaps this is due to the fact that in Russian communication there is no significant difference between subject- and object-oriented statements (Can I borrow your bike? – Can you lend me your bike?) and also with the fact that when expressing a request, the imperative is widely used.

Expanded statements. There are also extended statements in the Russian language, but they are not as numerous and less commonly used. These are declarative constructions expressing the speaker’s gratitude if the addressee performs an action: I would be very grateful if you did this / I would be very grateful if you did this. This also includes expanded interrogative constructions containing a question about the addressee’s difficulties: Isn't it difficult for you to do this? /Won't it be difficult for you to do this? / Wouldn’t it be too difficult for you to do this? / If you don't mind, could you do it? And the imperative statements we have already mentioned with a double expression of request: Do not refuse to be kind, do it, please / Be kind (kind), do it, please / Don’t consider it a labor, do it, please etc. A request for permission can also be expressed in a more complicated way: Do you mind if I do this? Expanded statements are distinguished by increased politeness and are more characteristic of the official style of speech, i.e., formal politeness. In English communication, as noted, such statements, being the most polite way of expressing a request, are used not only at a high level of politeness, but also at an average level.

To summarize our brief analysis of the ways of expressing a request in English and Russian, we emphasize that the main differences are found not at the level of linguistic means, but at the level of their use.

The choice of language models for expressing a request and the number of modifiers used in them depends on the communicative context, which includes factors such as role relationships of communicants, socio-psychological distance (horizontal), status distance (vertical), communication environment, degree of difficulty in fulfilling the request, etc. i.e. “the price of the request,” etc. In the intercultural aspect, an important role in this choice is played by socio-cultural relations and values, features of politeness systems, and strategies used.

Polite address in English speech and writing is expressed using modal verbs may , might , can , could , would , will .

Grammatical structures for expressing permission or request in English can be divided into three groups:

Designs with I as subject
Designs with You as subject
Designs with Would you mind

Let's consider each of them separately.

Designs with I as subject
Might is used very rarely and is a fairly formal form of expressing a request. Used mainly in British English.
For example:
Might I have a cup of tee? (Can I have a cup of tea?)
Might I borrow your umbrella? (Can I use your umbrella?)

May And Could are the most commonly used verbs to express a request or permission. Used to address people in a formal manner when talking to unfamiliar people.
For example:
May I please see your passport? (Can I see your passport?)
Could I borrow your book please? (Can I borrow your book?)

Can used to express a request or permission when talking with close and well-known people, that is, during informal communication.
For example:
Can I borrow a few dollars? (Can you borrow me a few dollars?)
Can I have a look at your picture? (Can I look at your painting?)

Designs with You as subject
Would you And Will you in expressions, requests have the same meaning. Would you is used more often and is considered a more polite form, so using Will you , always add please to make your request sound more polite. Although the level of politeness is also determined by the tone of the conversation.
For example:
Would you remove your socks from the table please? (Could you please remove your socks from the table?)
Will you please pass me the pepper? (Could you pass me the pepper?)

Could you has almost the same meaning as Would you . But there is still a slight difference. Would you used in situations where you are absolutely sure that the person you are contacting is able to fulfill your request. Could you used when you are actually asking whether the person is physically able to comply with your request.
For example:
Could you pass by a supermarket on the way home? (Could you stop by the supermarket on your way home?)
Could you finish this work for me please? (Could you finish this job for me?)

Can you used in informal communication as it sounds less polite than Could you or Would you .
For example:
Can you please wash the dishes? (Could you wash the dishes?)
Can you please buy me an ice-cream? (Could you buy me some ice cream?)

Designs with Would you mind
Design would you mind if I followed by a verb in the simple past tense means “would you mind if I ...” or “would it bother you if I ...”, that is, it is used less as a request or permission, but as a form of politeness. Moreover, the verb in the simple past tense in this case reflects actions in the present or future.
For example:
It's extremely hot today. Would you mind if I opened the window? (It's very hot today. Do you mind if I open the window?)
I don't feel well today. Would you mind if I stayed at home? (I'm not feeling well today. Do you mind if I stay at home?)

Sometimes in colloquial speech the simple present tense is used instead of the simple past tense.
For example:
Would you mind if I invite my friends tonight? (Do you mind if I invite friends over tonight?)
Would you mind if I go out tonight? (Do you mind if I go somewhere today?)

In order to politely ask your interlocutor for something, you can use the construction would you mind+gerund (verb with -ing ending). This form of request in English has the meaning “would it be difficult for you to do such and such?”
For example:
Would you mind opening the window? (Would it be difficult for you to open the window?)
Would you mind mailing this letter to me? (Would it be difficult for you to send this letter for me?)

The importance of mastering forms of polite address is unconditional. Even if your English is far from perfect, but the interlocutor sees that you are trying to speak as politely as possible, rest assured, he will try very hard to understand you and help you if necessary.

Try to make up a few sentences yourself based on the material you have covered. Remember, using a language is the best way to learn it.

The British have earned the title of the most polite nation in the world. Wherever you are - in a store, public transport or just on the street, you will hear “Sorry”, “Please” and “Welcome” every now and then. But did you know that even using all these words, you can suddenly become known as an unceremonious rude person? The reason is ridiculously simple - polite phrases in English are constructed according to completely different rules than in Russian.

In order not to shock your interlocutors, it is important to use “magic words” in the correct construction and take into account purely English phraseological units that comply with the rules of good manners.

Polite requests in English

Let's consider a situation where you say to your interlocutor: “Prepare this for tomorrow” or “Call me back” (attention: this is wrong!). For a Russian person, these are simple requests that do not carry a negative connotation, but for a foreigner this is a signal that you are a very ill-mannered person who gives rude orders.

The first line of the hit parade of offensive phrases is represented by the phrase “Do it!” Use the polite “Let's do it!” to avoid the sharp edges of misunderstanding.

What do we know about the word “please”? "Please" means "please" and is used in requests.

- Could you tell me the time, please?

- Thank you!

Since childhood, we have become accustomed to: if you want to get candy, don’t forget to add “please.” However, this is not enough in English. The use of “Please” in requests adds an unpleasant shade of familiarity to what is said.

For example, you ask a friend “Give me, please, a coat.” It will sound something like this: “Give me your coat.” If not “Please,” you say, then how to ask for a favor in English, so as not to inadvertently offend a person.

To make your request sound polite, use modal constructions:

Could / would - Could you

Could/would you..., please?

Could / would you be so kind as to ...

For example:

― Could you check your e-mail, please?

- Could you please check your email?

- Certainly!

― Jane, would you be so kind as to call him on Monday?

- Yes, of course!

- Jane, could you (be kind) call him on Monday?

- Yes, sure!

When shopping or in a restaurant, use the following constructions in colloquial speech:

Can / could + please – Could you + please
Can / Could I have…, please?

Can/could I please have...?

For example:

- Can I have some tomatoes and fresh green, please?

- Can I please have some tomatoes and fresh herbs?

― Could I please have a glass of water?

- Can I please have a glass of water??

Examples of a kind request in English

Would you do me a favor?	Could you do me a favor?
Could you do me a favor?	Can I ask you a favor?
Could you possibly + Ving? Could you possibly help me to open the window?	Could you help me open the window? (Could you by any chance help me open the window?)
Could you please + Ving? Could you please translate a letter?	Could you translate the letter?
Could I trouble you to + Ving? Could I trouble you to explain this definition?	Would it be difficult for you to explain this definition?
Could I bother you to + Ving? Could I bother you to sign some documents?	Would it be difficult for you to sign some documents?
Would you mind + Ving? Would you mind turning the radio on?	Could you turn on the radio?
Would it be too much trouble for you to + Ving? Would it be too much trouble for you to pick John up from school?	Would I bother you too much if I asked you to pick John up from school?
I wonder if you could help me with smth./to do smth? I wonder if you could help me with this test / to take the test?	Can you help me with this test / take the test?
Can you give me a hand with smth? Can you give a hand with my baggage?	Can you help me with my luggage?
Would you be so kind to help me with smth? Would you be so kind to help me with the housework?	Would you be so kind as to help me with the cleaning, please?
Could you spare me some time? I need help, please.	Could you take a moment? Please, I need help.
Can I ask you a favor? Give me a hand with this, will you?	Can I ask a favor? Can you help me with this?

How to ask permission?

When we ask permission to take our own actions, we need the following scheme. It can also be used in a formal setting:

May I... ? May I...?

For example:

― May I use your laptop? I don’t have an internet connection.

- Can I use your computer? I don't have an internet connection.

Another useful construct:

Do you mind if I + Ving? Do you mind if...

- Do you mind if I open the door?

― Do you mind asking you a difficult question?

- Do you mind if I ask you a difficult question?

How to thank for a service provided in English

It is important to be able to express your gratitude. In informal communication, liberties are permissible; in other cases, one should not deviate from the norms of traditional courtesy.


	Thanks a lot!
Thanks a million!	A million thanks!
I am really grateful for…	I'm very grateful for...
Thank you so very much for…	Thank you very much for... (very polite)
Can’t thank you enough for…	Even a huge thank you for... will not be enough!
I really appreciate your help!	I really appreciate your help!
You are the best!	You are the best! (informal)
	Thank you! (informal slang)
	Thank you! (informal slang)

The English weave much more polite phrases into their conversational speech than we do. Sometimes there is a feeling of devaluation of politeness - politeness loses its personal, targeted coloring and is perceived as a speech norm that has been memorized to the point of automatism. You just have to come to terms with this!

I hope that this article will be useful to those who have not yet taken Yes Foreign Language Center courses. From now on, you will be more confident in using polite phrases in English, and at the right time you will not be denied a small favor.

Afanaskina Ekaterina Vladimirovna - expert of the educational and methodological department
Center for Foreign Languages "YES".

Marina Vertiy
Lesson on social and communicative development in the senior group “Polite request”

Lesson on social and communicative development in the senior group on the topic: « Polite request» .

Target: Introduce children to different forms of expression requests addressed to someone (to a stranger, a loved one, a friend) in different situations: on the street, at home, in other places, develop cognitive interest. Cultivate skill politely ask for something.

Educator: Guys, now I’ll read you a short story called "Please allow me", listen carefully, and then we will talk.

Reading a story.

The brother returned from a concert at which he performed, reading a poem. He brought a disc with a recording of the concert, where you could see all the numbers. Masha entered the room and saw: Vanya is sitting, and his mother is next to him. They watch performances. Masha ran up to Vanya and pushed him away from the computer to look at everything all over again.

Come on, go away, I want to watch everything from the very first issue!

Mom was very angry. She said sternly daughters:

Learn first ask politely, and then come!

Masha went to her grandmother.

Grandma, teach me ask. I wanted to see the whole concert from beginning to end so much that I pushed my brother. So my mother sent me away and told me to learn ask politely.

“There is nothing simpler,” answered the grandmother. – You must remember a few words. Repeat after me: "Please; be kind; allow me; let me; I beg you, if possible, please let me watch the concert from the beginning.”

Masha:

Here's more! Never! I will still bow ask politely. I'd rather not watch anything!

Educator: Guys, what do you think, was Masha allowed to watch the concert? (children's answers).

Educator: What means ask politely? (children's answers).

Educator: Try to repeat after your grandmother a few polite words or expressions. (children's answers).

Educator: Suggest your ending to the story.

Publications on the topic:

Summary of educational activities on social and communicative development in the senior group “My family is my wealth” Summary of educational activities on social and communicative development in the senior group Topic: “My family is my wealth” Prepared by: teacher Milevskaya.

GCD on social and communicative development in the senior group “Children and their rights!” TOPIC: “Children and their rights!” Objectives: 1. Clarify children’s knowledge about civil rights and responsibilities. 2. Foster a sense of family cohesion.

Educational activities on social and communicative development in the senior group “Travel around Russia” Goal: To develop in children a sense of patriotism and love for their Motherland. Objectives: 1. Clarify and deepen the knowledge and ideas of preschoolers.

Open lesson in the senior group on social and communicative development “Let's tell Shapoklyak about friendship” V.: Guys, look, they sent us a letter. Who do you think it's from? (shows a drawing on the envelope depicting the old woman Shapoklyak).

Long-term work plan for social and communicative development (safety) in the senior group Long-term work plan for social and communicative development (safety) in the senior group for the winter period. DECEMBER: 1 week - 1. “Alone.”

Cognitive development Synopsis Social communicative lesson in the senior group “The ABC of Health” Purpose: Developmental, educational –.

Allow me to present to your attention a project on social and communicative development “Hurry to do good.” You tell me, the topic is not new.

Today we will talk not about what to say, but about how. It's no secret that there are many ways to express the same thought.

You can, for example, say “go away, please,” or “excuse me, can I come in?” or even “well, move away!” In both cases, and in the third case, we expressed a desire for someone to step aside and give us way, but our tone was different each time: in the first case, we were talking to someone familiar and equal to us in status, in the second - with a stranger on "you", and in the third we were rude.

Our article is devoted to the second case - communicating with strangers with whom we are on first name terms. We will learn how to be polite in English.

Let's look at a few broad situations in which we will need politeness.

1. How do you politely ask someone for something?

How to voice a request without it sounding like an order? First of all, you need to say “please”. But one magic word is not enough - to sound as polite as possible, use the following construction:

Could you...
Could you...

For example:

Could you open the window?
Could you please open the window?

Could you help me with my luggage, please?
Could you help me with my luggage please?

There are also more sophisticated phrases that can be used instead of " could you":

I would appreciate it if you could...
I would be grateful if you could...
(Literally: "I would appreciate it if you could...")

I would be grateful if you could...
I would be grateful if you could...

Would you be so kind as to...
Will you be so kind, ...

For example:

I would appreciate it if you could help me.
I will be grateful if you could help me.
(Literally: " I would appreciate it, if you could help me")

I would be grateful if you could tell me his phone number.
I would appreciate if you could tell me his phone number.

Would you be so kind as to show me the way?
Will you be so kind, show me the way.

Let's talk separately about the case when we request information that is not currently available, but may appear in the future. It happens that we ask a person to tell us something when an opportunity arises, or information, or something happens, etc. In such cases, instead of a simple “tell”, the following phrase is better suited:

Let's me know...
Let me know...

For example:

There is another type of request: often in everyday life we have to squeeze through a crowd. How do we make a person understand so that he will let us pass? Let's use the magic word:

Excuse me.
Sorry.

! In our country, there is a custom of asking the person in front in transport: “Are you getting off?” Never do this to foreigners :). Instead, just say " Excuse me"for him to move away.

Finally, it happens that something irritates us in the behavior of a foreigner. How can you politely ask him to keep his voice down or not ask you awkward questions?

Would you mind...
Could you...
(Literally: "Do you mind...")

This expression requires an ending from the action - ing!

Would you mind turning off the radio, please?
You could not would turn off the radio please?
(Literally: " Do you mind turn off the radio, please?")

Would you mind closing the door before leaving?
You Not could would close the door before leaving?
(Literally: " Do you mind close the door before leaving?")

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2. How to politely say “I want”?

"Want" is a good word, but a little harsh: it sounds like a demand. In order to soften it, you can use the following designs:

I would like...
I would like...

I would prefer...
I would prefer...

For example:

I would like a cup of coffee, please.
I would like a cup of coffee please.

I would like to book two tickets.
I would like book two tickets.

I would prefer to meet tomorrow, if that"s comfortable for you.
I would prefer Meet tomorrow if it's convenient for you.

I would prefer not to talk about it.
I would prefer don't talk about it.

When you order at a restaurant, you can also use the following phrases:

I"ll have...
I will...
(Literally: "I have...")

Can I have... ?
Can I take...
(Literally: "Can I have...?")

Eg:

I"ll have tea and some tuna salad, please.
I will tea and some tuna salad, please.

Can I have some red wine and a steak?
Can I take red wine and steak?

3. How to politely express disagreement?

In an extended conversation, sometimes you can come to disagreements. How to let a foreigner understand that he is mistaken and not get involved in an argument?

If you are talking about disagreement about facts that may or may not be correct, use the phrase:

I think you might be mistaken.
I think you may be wrong.

If it’s more a matter of opinion, then:

I'm afraid I disagree...
I'm afraid I disagree...

I see what you mean, but...
I see what you mean, but...

! Try to avoid words with a negative assessment: “bad”, “wrong”, etc. Instead, it is better to use "positive" words with negation:

I don't think that...
I do not think that...

I'm not sure that...
I'm not sure what...

Compare:

I think your plan won't work.
I don't think your plan will work.

I don't think your plan will work.
I don't think that your plan will work.

I'm sure it's a bad idea.
I'm sure this is a bad idea.

I'm not sure it's a good idea.
I'm not sure n that's a good idea.

In this way, you shift the focus from the assessment (“bad”, “good”) to your own uncertainty (“I don’t think”, “I’m not sure”), letting the interlocutor understand that this is only your subjective opinion, and not the truth in the end authorities. By doing so, you will soften disagreement and make it clear that you too may be wrong.

4. How to politely ask permission?

To politely ask permission to do something, you will need the following expressions.

Use may when talking about "official" permission: say, can you park here? Or is it possible to smoke in the hotel? That is, when it comes to rules.

May I...
May I...

For example:

If there are no rules and you are simply asking, for example, if your neighbor on the minibus would mind if you open the window, then the following phrases are at your service:

Could I...
Can I...

Do you mind if I...
Do you mind if I...

I was wondering if I could...
I was wondering if I could...

For example:

Could I ask you a question?
May I ask you a question?

Do you mind if I join you tonight?
Do not you mind, if I join you tonight?

I was wondering if I could invite you for a dinner.
I wanted to ask, can I invite you to dinner.

5. How to politely ask again?

If you did not hear or did not understand what the interlocutor said, you can, of course, say: “What?” (What?), but that would be kind of rude. To politely indicate that you do not understand, use one of the following phrases:

Sorry?
Sorry?

Pardon (me)?
Excuse me)?

I beg your pardon?
I'm sorry?

Excuse me?
Sorry?

Of course, you can also politely ask your interlocutor to repeat using the constructions from point No. 1:

Sorry, could you repeat it, please?
Sorry, Not could would You repeat please?

Would you mind saying that again, please?
You could not would say it again please?
(Literally: " Do you mind say it again, please?")

6. How to politely apologize?

If you did something not very good (pushed a person, stepped on a foot, etc.) - make amends by saying:

Sorry.
Sorry.

I apologize.
I'm sorry.

If you want to get someone's attention to ask a question, for example, then use:

Excuse me.
Sorry.

7. How to politely thank?

Finally, how else to express your gratitude other than thank you you?

So we looked at seven situations for using polite English. With them you will definitely not get lost when communicating with strangers :). In addition to these phrases, remember the simple rules of good manners: listen to your interlocutor, do not directly say “no” to him, soften your phrase if possible (“I think”, “I believe”, etc.), do not forget to say “thank you” and "Please" :). Good luck!