# The -na particle: please / go on

> id: regional.py.na-particle · category: regional · depth: standard · levels: A2 · review: internally_reviewed

**Summary.** From Guaraní, -na attaches to requests to soften them into a friendly 'please / do go on': vení na, dame na, esperá na. A core marker of Paraguayan Spanish.

Borrowed from Guaraní, -na attaches to requests and suggestions to soften them into a warm 'please / do go on': vení na, dame na, esperá na. It is one of the most recognizable features of Paraguayan Spanish and works like a politeness sweetener.

It pairs naturally with voseo imperatives and other particles (vení na, pues). Using -na appropriately makes requests sound friendly rather than blunt — much like Bolivian nomás, but Guaraní-sourced.

It attaches to questions and to usted-requests just as readily as to vos-imperatives (espere na, ¿me ayudás na?), and its negative counterpart is ani na ('please don't'). Leaving it off doesn't make a request wrong, just curt — adding na is what makes it sound considerate.

## Examples
- Pasame na la sal. — Pass me the salt, would you.
- Quedate na un ratito más. — Do stay a little longer.
- Esperá na, ya vengo. — Hang on a sec, I'm coming.

Related: regional.py.jopara, regional.py.guarani-influence

License: © Spanish Rules Library — all rights reserved (regional content) — spanishruleslibrary.com