Useful Portuguese phrases for asking to try again

Introduction

Learning how to ask someone to try again is essential for clear communication in Portuguese. This article teaches beginner-friendly Brazilian Portuguese phrases for asking someone to repeat, redo, or give something another attempt. Use these phrases in conversations, stores, restaurants, public transport, and messaging. Examples, short dialogues, common replies, and helpful tips will make it easy to start using these expressions right away.

Why asking to try again is useful

Beginners often need others to repeat information or to ask someone to redo an action. Asking politely to try again helps avoid misunderstandings and keeps interactions friendly. In Brazilian Portuguese there are simple, commonly used phrases that work in formal and informal situations. You will learn when to use each phrase and how to sound natural.

Core phrases for asking to try again

These are the most common beginner-friendly phrases. The first appearance of each main phrase is highlighted.

Pode tentar de novo? — Can you try again?

Você pode repetir? — Can you repeat?

Repete, por favor? — Repeat, please? (informal)

Pode repetir, por favor? — Could you repeat, please? (polite)

Consegue fazer de novo? — Can you do it again?

Desculpa, pode falar de novo? — Sorry, can you say that again?

When to use each phrase

Use Pode tentar de novo? when you want someone to attempt an action again, for example trying to enter a PIN or redo a service. It’s polite and common in everyday speech.

Use Você pode repetir? or Pode repetir, por favor? when you did not hear or understand spoken information, like directions, prices, or a name.

Use Repete, por favor? in informal settings with friends or family. It is shorter and friendly.

Use Consegue fazer de novo? when asking someone to perform a task again, like fixing a plate or reprinting a ticket.

Use Desculpa, pode falar de novo? when you want to be especially polite and show you feel at fault for not catching what was said.

Key word breakdown

Understanding the building blocks helps you make variations.

pode — can (from poder), used for polite requests

você — you (neutral, widely used in Brazil)

repitir — to repeat (infinitive: repetir)

tentar — to try

de novo — again

conseguir — to be able to (consegue is the present form for you)

desculpa — sorry (informal apology)

por favor — please

Polite vs. informal forms

For polite requests in stores, restaurants, or with strangers, choose Pode repetir, por favor? or Desculpa, pode falar de novo?

With friends, family, or coworkers you know well, use Repete, por favor? or Você pode repetir? The tone and body language matter as much as the words.

Common contexts and realistic examples

Below are practical situations with short sample sentences you can use immediately.

At a restaurant when you don’t hear the server

Comanda, por favor?
Desculpa, pode falar de novo o prato do dia?

In a store when a cashier states a price

Quanto custa isso?
Pode repetir o valor, por favor?

On public transport when you miss a stop announcement

Desculpa, você sabe qual é a próxima parada?
Repete, por favor, não ouvi o anúncio.

During a phone call

Alô?
Desculpa, pode repetir, por favor? A conexão caiu.

When trying a machine (ATM, ticket kiosk)

Erro no cartão.
Pode tentar de novo, por favor?

At work asking a colleague to redo a small task

O documento saiu com erro.
Consegue fazer de novo e me enviar?

Short dialogues for practice

Dialogue 1 — At a café

Cliente: Desculpa, pode repetir o nome do café?
Barista: Claro, é café de origem do Sul. Repete: Sul.

Dialogue 2 — On a bus

Passageiro: Desculpa, qual é a próxima parada?
Motorista: Centro.
Passageiro: Repete, por favor, não ouvi.

Dialogue 3 — Phone call

Pessoa A: Consegue falar mais baixo?
Pessoa B: Claro.
Pessoa A: Desculpa, pode falar de novo que eu não ouvi?

Common replies you will hear

These are useful responses others might give after you ask them to try again.

Claro — Of course

Desculpa — Sorry

Tá — Okay (informal)

Mais devagar — Slower / More slowly

De novo — Again

Helpful pronunciation tips

Brazilian Portuguese is syllable-timed and tends to be melodic. Focus on clear vowels and softer consonants. For beginners these points help:

Repeat the r at the start of verbs like repetir with a soft guttural or an American r depending on region, but do not stress it.

Say de novo as dee NO-vo (stress on NO).

Pronounce pode as PO-jee or PO-dee; both are acceptable in Brazil.

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid literal translations from English such as try again directly word-for-word that sound unnatural. Use the set phrases above.

Do not overuse formal structures in casual situations; using Repete, por favor? with close friends sounds more natural than a long formal phrase.

Remember that voce is used widely in Brazil; avoid substituting it with tu unless you know the region favors tu.

Quick tips for sounding natural

Use por favor when in doubt to keep requests polite.

Combine a short apology with your request: Desculpa, pode repetir? makes the tone friendlier.

Use a polite intonation: rise slightly at the end to indicate a question.

Extra phrases for related situations

Se você não entendeu — If you did not understand

Fala mais devagar, por favor — Speak more slowly, please

Pode escrever, por favor? — Can you write it down, please?

Posso tentar de novo? — Can I try again? Useful when you want to attempt something yourself.

Conclusion

Mastering a few polite, beginner-friendly Brazilian Portuguese phrases for asking someone to try again or repeat makes everyday interactions smoother. Start with Pode repetir, por favor? and Pode tentar de novo? and practice them in real contexts like restaurants, stores, and transport. These small phrases build confidence and prevent misunderstandings while you continue learning Portuguese.