Introduction
Learning how to ask someone to repeat themselves is one of the first and most practical skills for beginners in Brazilian Portuguese. This article teaches polite, useful phrases and vocabulary to handle unclear speech in everyday situations, from cafés to classrooms, with clear examples and common mistakes to avoid.
Why asking for repetition matters
When you’re starting Portuguese, misunderstandings are normal. Asking for repetition helps you confirm information, avoid mistakes, and build confidence. It also signals to Portuguese speakers that you are making an effort, which often leads to helpful responses and patience.
Key words to know
Here are essential vocabulary items that appear in repetition requests. The first appearance of each main Portuguese term is highlighted.
desculpa — excuse me / sorry, informal
com licença — excuse me / pardon, polite
repete — repeat (informal imperative of repetir)
repetir — to repeat
pode — can / could
por favor — please
mais devagar — more slowly
não entendi — I didn’t understand
o que foi? — what was that?
como? — how? / pardon? (short, informal)
Basic polite phrases to ask for repetition
Start with simple, polite phrases. The following are safe in most settings.
Desculpa, pode repetir por favor? — Excuse me, can you repeat please?
Com licença, pode repetir? — Pardon me, can you repeat?
Perdão, não entendi. Pode repetir? — Sorry, I didn’t understand. Can you repeat?
Use desculpa with friends or people your age. Use com licença or perdão when you want to be more formal or polite, for example in stores, on public transport, or when speaking to elders.
Short, casual ways to ask
In relaxed situations you can use shorter phrases. These are common among friends, classmates, or younger speakers.
Como? — Pardon?
O que? — What?
Repete? — Repeat?
These are efficient, but be cautious: in some contexts they can sound abrupt. Add por favor to soften them: Repete, por favor?
Asking someone to speak more slowly or clearly
Sometimes you heard the sentence but the speed or pronunciation made it hard to follow. Use these phrases.
Pode falar mais devagar, por favor? — Could you speak more slowly, please?
Pode falar mais alto? — Can you speak louder?
Você pode repetir devagar? — Can you repeat slowly?
Combine requests when needed: Desculpa, pode falar mais devagar e repetir, por favor?
Clarifying specific words
If you need just one word repeated or spelled, use these short requests.
Como se escreve? — How is it written?
Você pode soletrar? — Can you spell it?
Que palavra é essa? — What word is that?
Example: Você: Como se escreve seu sobrenome?
Other person: Silva. Você: Você pode soletrar?
Practical short dialogues for beginners
Role-play is useful because it models natural responses. Below are short, realistic exchanges you might hear or use.
Cafeteria barista: Bom dia, o que vai querer?
Você: Desculpa, pode repetir, por favor?
Barista: Claro, quer um café ou um cappuccino?
Classroom: Professor: A prova será na próxima terça, capítulo três.
Você: Perdão, a prova é na próxima terça?
Professor: Sim, dia 14.
On the phone: Pessoa: Alô, aqui é Ana falando.
Você: Como?
Pessoa: Ana, A-N-A. Desculpe, está com ruído.
Written messages and signs
Asking for repetition can also happen via text or chat. These forms are often shorter and include abbreviations.
Você: Não entendi a hora da reunião.
Colega: É 15h.
Você: Você pode repetir a hora, por favor?
On a voice note you can write: Pode repetir a informação? to request a second take.
Common mistakes beginners make
Being aware of frequent errors helps you improve quickly. Here are predictable pitfalls and how to fix them.
Mistake: Using direct translation like Can you repeat me? Better: Você pode repetir?
Mistake: Overusing como? which can sound rude if used alone. Fix: add por favor or use Desculpa, não entendi.
Mistake: Saying repita to someone instead of repete or você pode repetir. Repita is formal imperative and can sound commanding. Prefer Você pode repetir? or Repete, por favor? when speaking casually.
Pronunciation tips for clarity
When asking someone to repeat, your own pronunciation matters so they understand your request. Focus on these simple points.
Speak the Portuguese words slowly and clearly, especially desculpa, por favor, and mais devagar.
Practice the open vowels a, e, o which are common in repetition phrases.
Listen and mimic: if someone repeats slowly for you, try to reproduce the rhythm to improve comprehension.
Politeness levels and context
Adjust your phrase to the situation. Use formal expressions with strangers or in professional contexts, and casual forms with friends.
Formal: Com licença, não entendi. Você pode repetir, por favor?
Casual: Repete isso? or Como?
Public announcements: If you miss a public announcement, ask a staff member: Desculpe, o que foi anunciado?
Practice exercises for beginners
Try these short activities to make asking for repetition automatic.
1. Record a short message in Portuguese and ask a friend to repeat parts you missed using Você pode repetir?
2. In a language class, intentionally ask Desculpa, pode falar mais devagar? twice and notice the teacher’s response.
3. Practice texting: send a short voice note and then write Você pode repetir a informação por texto?
Useful variations and added phrases
Knowing a few variations helps you handle different situations.
Pode repetir só a última parte? — Can you repeat only the last part?
Repete devagar, por favor — Repeat slowly, please
Você pode falar de novo? — Can you say that again?
Não ouvi — I didn’t hear
Extra realistic scenarios
Airport: Gate agent: Embarque às 18h30. You: Desculpa, você pode repetir o horário do embarque?
Restaurant: Waiter: Hoje temos peixe fresco. You: Perdão, o que tem hoje?
Phone support: Agent: Seu número termina em 42. You: Como? Agent: Quarenta e dois. Você: Você pode soletrar, por favor?
Conclusion
Mastering simple ways to ask someone to repeat in Brazilian Portuguese makes real-world communication smoother and boosts your confidence. Learn the key words, practice polite forms like Desculpa, pode repetir por favor?, and use context-appropriate variations. With short dialogues, pronunciation practice, and awareness of common mistakes, repeating requests will soon feel natural in everyday conversations.
