If you want to make a request (ask somebody to do something for you), the following structures can be used:
Will you ………. ?
Can you …. …..?
Would you……….?
Could you………?
Would you mind………?
E.g.:
Will you give me that book? (Ideadod azt a könyvet?)
Can you give me that book? (Ide tudod adni azt a könyvet?)
Would you give me that book? (Ideadnád azt a könyvet?)
Could you give me that book? (Ide tudnád adni azt a könyvet?)
Would you mind giving me that book? (Nem bánnád, ha megkérnélek, hogy ideadd azt a könyvet?)
Note: the first one is the least polite, the last one is the most polite.
Agreeing (saying yes)
Yes, of course.
Yes, no problem.
Certainly.
To ‘would you mind…?’ question: No, of course not. (Nem bánnád? Helyeslő válasz: nem!)
Disagreeing (saying no)
I’m sorry, I can’t.
I’m afraid, I can’t.
I’m sorry, I’m busy.
I would/could but….
Dialogue
- Would you open the door, please?
- I would but my hands are full with bags.
- Could you put them down?
- I’m sorry, I can’t. They’ll be dirty on the floor.
- But I don’t have a key.
- OK. Can you hold the bags while I’m looking for my key?
- Yes, of course.
- Thanks.
