What does 'please advise' mean in emails?

What it means: Please tell me what to do, give me guidance, or make a decision. It asks the recipient to respond with information or instructions.

"I've received two conflicting responses. Please advise."
"I'm unsure how to proceed. Please advise."

The passive-aggressive version: "Please advise." at the end of an email can imply "why haven't you told me yet?" or "this is your problem to solve." The bluntness of it — especially without additional context — reads as pointed.

When it's fine: When there is genuinely a decision or guidance needed from someone with authority or knowledge. It's more formal than "let me know what you think."

• "Could you let me know how you'd like to proceed?" — warmer
• "What would you recommend?" — direct
• "Any guidance on this would be helpful." — softer

Register: Formal. More common in formal business and legal communication.

Tags: business writing, email, formal English, professional communication