Introduction
Learning how to tell someone you will speak slowly is a small but powerful phrase for beginners in Brazilian Portuguese. This short article explains natural ways to say I’ll speak slowly too, why you would use each option, key words, common replies, and simple dialogues for everyday situations like traveling, restaurants, and conversations with friends.
- Why this phrase matters
- Most natural translations
- Which phrase to use and when
- Pronunciation tips
- Common short replies you might hear
- Practical vocabulary for this situation
- Beginner-friendly conversation examples
- Short dialogue for travel or transport
- Polite variations and formal contexts
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Quick tips for beginners
- Real-life scenarios where this helps
- Extra beginner phrases related to clarity
- Mini practice: replace the subject
- Conclusion
Why this phrase matters
When you are a beginner, asking or telling someone you will slow down helps communication and shows politeness. In Brazil, speakers often adjust their speed to help foreigners. Saying that you will speak slowly too is useful when you want to be clear, when teaching someone, or when responding to someone who is already speaking slowly.
Most natural translations
The simplest and most direct translation is Eu vou falar devagar também. This is clear and appropriate in almost any informal or neutral context.
Other natural alternatives include:
Também vou falar mais devagar
Vou falar devagar também
Também vou falar devagarinho – devagarinho is a diminutive and more casual.
Explanation of the key words
Eu – I
vou – short form of ir used as a future auxiliary, meaning will
falar – to speak
devagar – slowly
mais – more; used to emphasize slowing down
também – too / also
devagarinho – a softer, more affectionate way to say slowly
Which phrase to use and when
For beginners the safest choice is Eu vou falar devagar também. It is neutral and grammatically complete. Use it when you want to confirm you will lower your pace in conversation, in classrooms, or when helping a friend.
Use Também vou falar mais devagar when you want to match someone who already said they would slow down. It sounds cooperative and polite.
Use Vou falar devagar também in casual speech when dropping the subject is fine. Brazilians often omit eu in conversation.
Também vou falar devagarinho is better among friends or with children because it sounds gentle and informal.
Pronunciation tips
Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation differs from English, so focus on these small points:
devagar – pronouce deh-vah-GAR with stress on the last syllable
vou – sounds like voh, similar to English low without l
falar – fa-LAR with light r as a guttural or slight h at the end depending on region; beginners can use a soft r
também – tam-BENG with nasal tilde on ão sound; try to make a mild nasal sound
Common short replies you might hear
Claro – sure
Obrigada or Obrigado – thank you (female/male speaker)
Perfeito – perfect
Sem problema – no problem
Você pode repetir, por favor? – Can you repeat, please?
Practical vocabulary for this situation
Devagar – slowly
Mais devagar – more slowly
De novo – again
Por favor – please
Repitir – to repeat (note: correct infinitive is repetir)
Entender – to understand
Compreender – to comprehend
Beginner-friendly conversation examples
Situation: At a language exchange
Person A: Olá, eu sou a Maria. Você fala inglês?
Person B: Sou o John. Falo um pouco.
Eu vou falar devagar também, ok?
Person A: Perfeito, obrigada!
Situation: Ordering food when Portuguese is slow
Waiter: O que você vai querer?
You: Desculpe, não entendi.
Também vou falar mais devagar. Eu quero o sanduíche de queijo, por favor.
Waiter: Certo. Quer algo para beber?
Situation: Classroom or tutoring
Teacher: Vou explicar a gramática agora
Student: Por favor,
Vou falar devagar também para praticar comigo?
Teacher: Claro, vamos juntos
Short dialogue for travel or transport
At a bus station
Agent: Esta linha vai para o centro. Você entende as instruções?
You: Não muito.
Também vou falar devagarinho para confirmar. A que horas sai o próximo ônibus?
Agent: Às 12h30.
Polite variations and formal contexts
In a more formal or polite setting, you can use the same basic structure but add a formal marker or soften it:
Eu vou falar mais devagar, se você preferir – I will speak more slowly if you prefer
Posso falar devagar para facilitar? – May I speak slowly to make it easier?
These are useful with service staff, teachers, or new acquaintances where you want to be especially polite.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Switching word order incorrectly: Portuguese allows flexible word order, but beginners sometimes place também in awkward spots. Best positions are near the verb or at the end, as in Também vou falar mais devagar or Eu vou falar devagar também.
Using English grammar patterns: Saying I will speaking slowly is incorrect. Use vou falar (will speak), not vou estar falando.
Mispronouncing devagar or também: Practice the nasal sound in também and stress the final syllable in devagar to be understood.
Quick tips for beginners
Start with Eu vou falar devagar também and then try the shorter Vou falar devagar in casual talk.
Listen to native speakers for rhythm and stress; Brazilian Portuguese is melodic and often drops the subject pronoun.
Use também to show cooperation. It signals that you are doing the same as the other person.
Real-life scenarios where this helps
Traveling: When asking for directions or buying tickets, slowing down reduces errors.
Restaurants: Use the phrase if you need the waiter to repeat a menu item or special.
Language exchanges: Helpful when matching pace with classmates or partners learning Portuguese.
Customer service: When speaking with service agents, stating you will speak slowly can ease the interaction.
Extra beginner phrases related to clarity
Por favor, fale mais devagar – Please speak more slowly
Pode repetir, por favor? – Can you repeat, please?
Como se diz isso em português? – How do you say this in Portuguese?
Não entendi – I did not understand
Mini practice: replace the subject
Practice replacing eu with other subjects to expand use:
Eu vou falar devagar também
Você vai falar devagar também – You will speak slowly too
Ele/ela vai falar devagar também – He/she will speak slowly too
Conclusion
Knowing how to say I’ll speak slowly too in Brazilian Portuguese gives beginners confidence in everyday interactions. Use Eu vou falar devagar também or one of the natural alternatives depending on formality. Practice pronunciation of devo-gar and também, and try the short dialogues in real situations to build fluency and comfort.

