Can I have? It's very complicated and could use some help

Question

I work in a kitchen with some people who speak only a little English and was learning Spanish so I could speak with them.normally when I ask for something I say "I need..." because I don't quite understand how to say can I have(something). would me das work?

Welcome to SpanishDict. Please take a moment and complete your SD profile as it relates to language. Thanks. - rac1, Mar 4, 2016

We'd love to help you as you learn Spanish. Please fill out more information in your profile and provide you examples in Spanish. I don't know what "would me das work" means. - Jubilado, Mar 4, 2016

Jubilado, the question (I think) is whether he/she could ask, "Me das?" as in, "Me das la cuchara?" - jtaniel, Mar 4, 2016

I would guess that the OP is a young female (by the style of language) and is probably American. I may be wrong, but I try. - Daniela2041, Mar 4, 2016

Thank you for completing your profile , my vote for that. - ray76, Mar 10, 2016

Answer 1

As jtaniel says it helps if you add your level of English and Spanish.

Are you based in the States or somewhere else? Do you know where the other workers are from? [I have assumed if they speak very little English they are from another country - rather than Spanish speaking Americans] Are you senior to them or on the same level? What about age differences?

I only ask as there are variations as to whether you use tu or usted and whether the imperative is appropriate. I know the imperative is popular in Spain as just a direct form of speech whereas I as a Brit could take forever to ask a question! I think it is great that you are learning Spanish so you can communicate.

I am American and 22 years of age.they are all older then myself and they are Guatemalan - Rc294, Mar 6, 2016

Answer 2

in Spanish Puedes/Puede/Podría ....? is already super polite.

Podría ayudarme? Could you help me?(especially with someone you just met)

just like in english

Answer 3

Welcome.

If I were you, I would Google "polite requests in Spanish" or something similar.

I would also use the automated translators on this site to translate some sentences like "May I have the spoon, please?" or "Will you pass me the spoon, please?" or whatever sorts of things you want to say.

And I would complete my profile on this site, to make it easier for people to provide help.

Great! - Daniela2041, Mar 4, 2016

Oh, I couldn't restist posting on this!! Sheesh! - Daniela2041, Mar 4, 2016

Answer 4

And there is also the idiomatic use of the imperfect subjunctive of querer, quisiera, as a polite form of I would like:

Señor, quisiera un cuchara limpia, por favor.

The two other verbs that use the same idiomatic polite form are poder, pudiera (may I):

¿Señor, pudiera cantar ahora?

and deber, debiera:

Debiera limpiarse las uñas.

Answer 5

You could say '¿puedo tener...?'

Thank you Sky Sky. my vote . - ray76, Mar 10, 2016

Answer 6

I'm sorry.I didn't know that part of the profile existed but it is filled out now.my co-workers are from Guatemala and we are all on the same level, authority wise, not seniority wise.

Answer 7

One easy way is to say something like this. It works everywhere.

¿Quiere (formal) or Quieres (informal) pasarme el/la _______________________?

Or "Favor de pasarme el/la ___________________________________

Or even instead of "pasarme" you can use "darme"

Or you can even use your original suggestion as a question "¿Me das el/la _________?" and I (a polite person) would add "por favor"

There are more complex forms here, but I don't think you want to go into those. Mardle suggested Imperative forms, but those can get a little complicated.