30 Portuguese phrases for restarting a conversation

Introduction

Restarting a conversation in Brazilian Portuguese can feel intimidating for beginners. This article gives you 30 practical phrases, clear explanations in English, and simple example dialogues in Brazilian Portuguese to help you reconnect, change topics, or revive a chat naturally.

Why knowing restart phrases matters

Sometimes conversations stall, people get distracted, or you need to shift topics. Having ready-made phrases helps you sound polite and confident. These short phrases are useful in messages, face-to-face talks, stores, restaurants, transportation, and social settings.

How to use these phrases

Use formal or informal versions depending on who you talk to. With friends or people your age, prefer informal language. In customer service or with older people, use polite forms. Many phrases are adaptable: change verbs or add details to fit your situation.

Common words to know

Desculpa means sorry or excuse me; useful for interruptions.

Desculpe is the polite form of desculpa, used with strangers or older people.

Só um minuto means just a minute; good to ask for time.

Então is like so or well, a common filler to restart.

Aliás means by the way, used to add a new point.

30 Portuguese phrases for restarting a conversation (Brazilian Portuguese)

Here are 30 beginner-friendly phrases. First appearance of each main phrase is bolded; repeated occurrences later use emphasis.

Desculpa, você pode repetir? — Sorry, can you repeat? Useful when you missed what someone said.

Desculpe, eu não entendi. — Sorry, I didn’t understand. Polite way to ask for clarification.

Como é que foi? — How did it go? Great to restart after a break or event.

O que aconteceu? — What happened? Use this when something seems off or there was a pause.

Então, continuando… — So, continuing… A natural way to pick up where you left off.

Voltando ao assunto… — Back to the topic… Good for meetings or focused conversations.

Aliás, sobre aquilo… — By the way, about that… Useful to bring up a related point.

Falando nisso… — Speaking of which… A smooth transition phrase.

Posso perguntar uma coisa? — Can I ask something? Polite opener to restart with a question.

Que tal a gente continuar mais tarde? — How about we continue later? Helps reschedule politely.

Desculpa que eu interrompi, mas… — Sorry I interrupted, but… Use when you need to jump back in.

Espera, me explica de novo. — Wait, explain it again to me. Casual and direct for friends.

Tem um minuto? — Do you have a minute? Great for re-engaging someone briefly.

Tá tudo bem? — Is everything okay? Use this if the tone changed and you want to check in.

Perdão, estava pensando em outra coisa. — Sorry, I was thinking about something else. Honest way to restart.

Posso voltar a falar sobre isso? — Can I return to talking about this? Good for returning to a previous topic.

Me conta mais sobre isso. — Tell me more about that. Encouraging phrase to get the other person to continue.

Como você disse mesmo? — How did you say it again? Useful for clarifying a word or name.

Onde eu parei? — Where did I stop? Useful when you lost your place in a story.

Vamos mudar de assunto? — Shall we change the subject? Good when you want to steer the conversation elsewhere.

Pra ser sincero… — To be honest… A way to restart with a confession or opinion.

Eu queria te perguntar sobre… — I wanted to ask you about… Direct and polite approach.

Você viu/escutou sobre isso? — Did you see/hear about this? Great to start with news or events.

Voltando pro que a gente falou antes… — Back to what we talked about before… Useful in follow-ups.

Se quiser, posso explicar melhor. — If you want, I can explain better. Helpful to offer clarification.

Desculpa a demora para responder. — Sorry for the delay in replying. Ideal for messages.

Ei, como você tá? — Hey, how are you? Simple, friendly restart for casual chats.

Posso comentar algo? — Can I comment on something? Polite for adding a small point.

Faz tempo que a gente não fala! — Long time no talk! Great to restart a conversation with someone you haven’t contacted recently.

Short dialogues: restarting conversations in real contexts

Message after a delay

Person A: Desculpa a demora para responder.
Person B: Sem problema, tudo bem. O que você achou da ideia?

At a cafe when you lost the thread

Person A: Desculpa, eu não entendi. Pode repetir?
Person B: Claro. Eu falei que o bolo vem sem açúcar.

Rejoining a group discussion

Person A: Voltei! Onde eu parei?
Person B: Você estava falando do roteiro para amanhã.

Changing topic gently

Person A: Falando nisso, você vai ao cinema hoje?
Person B: Ainda não decidi. Quer ir juntos?

Beginner tips for natural restarts

Keep phrases short and simple. Use Desculpa or Desculpe to be polite, then state your request. Brazilian speakers appreciate friendliness, so add a smile in face-to-face situations.

When messaging, acknowledge the delay with Desculpa a demora para responder before asking your question. This shows respect and keeps the conversation warm.

Use fillers like Então or Aliás to buy time and signal you are shifting topics. These make transitions feel natural.

Common beginner mistakes

Avoid literal translations from English. For example, do not say I am sorry with a direct structure that sounds unnatural; use Desculpa or Desculpe.

Don’t overuse long apologies. Short is better: excessive apology can sound unsure. One quick Desculpa works well.

Be careful with formality. Use Desculpe for polite contexts and Desculpa with friends. Mixing them randomly can sound odd.

Practical vocabulary for restarts

Hora — time; as in Só um minuto (just a minute).

Assunto — subject or topic; used in Voltando ao assunto.

Continuar — to continue; used in Então, continuando….

Interromper — to interrupt; used in Desculpa que eu interrompi.

Perguntar — to ask; used in Posso perguntar uma coisa?.

More real-life examples

At a store: Desculpe, você pode me ajudar com esse tamanho? — Excuse me, can you help me with this size?

On public transport: Desculpa, este banco está livre? — Excuse me, is this seat free?

In a restaurant: Desculpa, você pode trazer a conta? — Excuse me, can you bring the bill?

At work: Voltando ao e-mail de ontem, eu tenho uma dúvida. — Back to yesterday’s email, I have a question.

Practice suggestion

Choose five phrases from the list and try them in short role plays with a friend or language partner. Swap roles: one pauses or pretends not to hear, and the other restarts. This builds confidence for real situations.

Conclusion

Mastering these 30 Brazilian Portuguese restart phrases will make you sound polite, confident, and natural. Practice short dialogs, pay attention to formality, and use simple vocabulary like Desculpa, Então, and Aliás to reconnect smoothly in everyday situations.