How to Say “Can You Repeat That?” in Portuguese

Introduction

Learning how to politely ask someone to repeat themselves is one of the most practical skills for any language learner. In Portuguese, there are numerous ways to express this common need, ranging from casual expressions among friends to formal phrases suitable for professional settings. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various ways to say Can you repeat that? in Portuguese, helping you navigate different social contexts with confidence and cultural awareness.

Why Asking for Repetition Matters in Language Learning

As you begin your journey with Portuguese, you’ll quickly discover that native speakers often talk faster than you can process. This is completely normal and happens to everyone learning a new language. Being able to ask someone to repeat themselves is not just about understanding words—it’s about building genuine connections and showing respect for the conversation.

When you ask someone to repeat what they said, you’re demonstrating your commitment to understanding them properly. Native Portuguese speakers appreciate when learners make this effort rather than pretending to understand or simply nodding along. This small act of honesty can transform awkward moments into opportunities for meaningful interaction and learning.

The Most Common Way to Ask for Repetition

Como? – The Universal Question

The simplest and most widely used expression in Portuguese is Como? This single word literally translates to How? or What? but functions as a polite way to ask someone to repeat themselves. You’ll hear como used constantly in everyday Brazilian conversations, from street markets to business meetings.

The beauty of como lies in its versatility. You can use it with anyone—your friends, family, strangers, or colleagues. The tone of your voice will determine whether it sounds casual or formal. A rising intonation makes it sound friendly and approachable, while a more measured delivery conveys professionalism.

Example conversation:
Person A: Eu vou ao supermercado mais tarde.
Person B: Como?
Person A: Eu vou ao supermercado mais tarde.

Understanding the Context

While como is acceptable in nearly every situation, understanding context helps you choose the most appropriate expression. In formal business presentations or academic settings, you might prefer more elaborate phrases. In contrast, among close friends or family, shorter expressions work perfectly well.

Formal Ways to Request Repetition

Poderia Repetir, Por Favor?

When you need to maintain a professional or respectful tone, Poderia repetir, por favor? serves as an excellent choice. This phrase translates to Could you repeat, please? and works wonderfully in workplace environments, formal gatherings, or when speaking with people you don’t know well.

The verb poderia comes from poder, which means can or to be able to. Using the conditional form poderia instead of pode adds an extra layer of politeness, similar to saying could you rather than can you in English.

You might use this phrase when:
– Speaking with your supervisor at work
– Attending a formal event or ceremony
– Conversing with elderly people you don’t know well
– Participating in official meetings or presentations

Pode Repetir, Por Favor?

A slightly less formal but still polite option is Pode repetir, por favor? This version uses the present tense pode instead of the conditional poderia. While still respectful, this phrase feels more direct and is commonly used in everyday polite interactions.

Think of this as your go-to phrase when you want to be courteous but not overly formal. It works well in restaurants, shops, schools, and most day-to-day interactions where you need to maintain a respectful distance.

Example scenario:
At a pharmacy:
Pharmacist: Você deve tomar este remédio duas vezes por dia.
You: Pode repetir, por favor?
Pharmacist: Claro! Duas vezes por dia, de manhã e à noite.

Você Poderia Repetir Isso?

Another formal alternative is Você poderia repetir isso? which means Could you repeat that? The addition of isso (that) makes the request more specific, indicating you’re asking about something particular that was just said.

This phrase demonstrates attentiveness because you’re specifically pointing to a piece of information you missed. Native speakers appreciate this level of engagement in conversation.

Casual and Friendly Expressions

O Quê? – The Informal Question

Among friends and family, O quê? is probably the most natural expression you’ll hear. This translates directly to What? and carries a casual, relaxed tone. You’ll notice that native speakers often shorten this to just Quê? in very informal settings.

While perfectly acceptable among peers, be cautious about using o quê with people you don’t know well or in formal situations, as it might come across as too casual or even slightly rude depending on your tone.

Typical usage:
Friend: A gente vai pra praia amanhã.
You: O quê?
Friend: Praia! Amanhã de manhã!

Hã? – The Spontaneous Response

Even more informal than o quê is the interjection Hã? This sound is similar to the English Huh? and represents a completely natural, instinctive response when you don’t catch what someone says. You’ll use this almost exclusively with close friends, family members, or people your age in very casual settings.

The informality of hã makes it inappropriate for professional environments, formal gatherings, or conversations with elders or authority figures. However, it’s perfectly natural in relaxed social situations.

Repete Aí – The Buddy Request

When talking with close friends, you might hear or use Repete aí, which roughly means Repeat that or Say that again. The word aí is a colloquial particle that adds a friendly, informal flavor to the request. This expression shows comfort and familiarity with the person you’re talking to.

Example conversation:
Friend: Então, eu encontrei o João no shopping.
You: Repete aí?
Friend: O João! Tava no shopping ontem.

Specific Situations and Tailored Phrases

When You Didn’t Hear Clearly

Sometimes you need to specify that you didn’t hear well rather than just asking for a general repetition. In these cases, Não ouvi bem (I didn’t hear well) or Não escutei (I didn’t hear) work perfectly. You can combine these with a request for repetition:

Desculpe, não ouvi bem. Pode repetir?
(Sorry, I didn’t hear well. Can you repeat?)

This approach is particularly useful in noisy environments like restaurants, busy streets, or crowded events. It provides context for why you’re asking and shows you’re genuinely trying to engage in the conversation.

When You Need Slower Speech

As a language learner, you might understand the words when spoken slowly but struggle with rapid native speed. In these situations, Pode falar mais devagar? (Can you speak more slowly?) becomes invaluable.

You can also combine requests:
Pode repetir mais devagar, por favor?
(Can you repeat more slowly, please?)

Most native Portuguese speakers are happy to slow down when they realize they’re speaking with a learner. This phrase helps you learn more effectively while maintaining the flow of conversation.

When You Need Clarification

Sometimes repetition alone isn’t enough—you need the speaker to explain or rephrase what they said. For these moments, try Pode explicar de novo? (Can you explain again?) or Como assim? (What do you mean? / How so?).

These phrases signal that you heard the words but need help understanding the meaning or intention behind them. This distinction is important because it shows you’re engaged and thinking critically about what’s being said.

Example:
Person A: A reunião foi meio estranha hoje.
You: Como assim?
Person A: Ah, todo mundo estava muito quieto e sério.

Phone Conversations and Digital Communication

Telephone-Specific Expressions

Phone conversations present unique challenges because you can’t rely on visual cues or body language. When you miss something during a phone call in Portuguese, these expressions prove particularly useful:

Alô? Não estou te ouvindo bem (Hello? I’m not hearing you well)
A ligação está ruim (The connection is bad)
Pode repetir? A linha está cortando (Can you repeat? The line is cutting out)

These phrases acknowledge the technical difficulties while requesting repetition. They’re essential for maintaining professional phone conversations or important personal calls.

Video Calls and Virtual Meetings

In our increasingly digital world, video call etiquette matters. When audio issues arise during virtual meetings, you might say:

Desculpe, o áudio cortou. Pode repetir a última parte?
(Sorry, the audio cut out. Can you repeat the last part?)

This specific approach helps the speaker know exactly what you missed, making the conversation more efficient.

Cultural Considerations and Politeness Levels

Brazilian Communication Style

Brazilian Portuguese speakers generally favor warm, friendly communication even in relatively formal settings. This cultural characteristic means that adding a smile, maintaining eye contact, and using a pleasant tone matter as much as the words you choose.

When asking someone to repeat themselves, Brazilians typically appreciate directness paired with politeness. You don’t need to apologize excessively or feel embarrassed about asking for repetition. Native speakers expect language learners to need clarification and generally respond with patience and encouragement.

The Role of Por Favor

Adding por favor (please) to any request instantly increases its politeness level. While como alone works fine among friends, como, por favor? shows more consideration. In professional settings, por favor becomes nearly essential.

You can place por favor at the end of your question or in the middle:
Pode repetir, por favor?
Por favor, pode repetir?

Both versions sound natural and polite, though the first construction is more common in everyday speech.

Regional Variations

While this guide focuses on Brazilian Portuguese, it’s worth noting that Portuguese speakers in different regions might have their own preferred expressions. The phrases covered here will be understood throughout Brazil, but you might encounter regional colloquialisms as you interact with people from different states.

For instance, some regions favor certain expressions over others, and local slang might include unique ways of asking for repetition. However, the standard phrases presented in this article will serve you well anywhere in Brazil.

Body Language and Non-Verbal Cues

Combining Words with Gestures

Brazilian communication relies heavily on body language and gestures. When asking someone to repeat themselves, your non-verbal cues can enhance your message. Common gestures include:

– Cupping your hand behind your ear to indicate you didn’t hear
– Raising your eyebrows in a questioning manner
– Leaning forward slightly to show you’re trying to listen
– Using open palm gestures to invite the speaker to continue

These physical signals, combined with appropriate phrases, create clear communication even when language barriers exist.

Facial Expressions

Your facial expression matters enormously when requesting repetition. A friendly, engaged expression conveys that you’re interested and trying your best. Avoid looking frustrated or annoyed, as this might make the speaker feel rushed or uncomfortable.

A slight smile while saying pode repetir, por favor? communicates both your request and your appreciation for the speaker’s patience. This combination of verbal and non-verbal communication is central to successful interactions in Portuguese-speaking environments.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over-Apologizing

Many language learners fall into the trap of apologizing too much when they need repetition. While Desculpe (Sorry) or Me desculpe (Excuse me) can precede your request, you don’t need to apologize repeatedly throughout a conversation.

Excessive apologizing can make you seem unsure or overly anxious. Instead, ask for repetition confidently and move forward with the conversation. Native speakers understand that language learning involves lots of clarification.

Using Overly Complex Phrases

Some learners try to construct elaborate phrases when simpler ones would work better. Remember that como or pode repetir are usually sufficient. Overcomplicating your request can actually make communication more difficult.

Stick with phrases you feel comfortable using naturally. As your Portuguese improves, you’ll naturally incorporate more varied expressions without forcing them.

Being Afraid to Ask

Perhaps the biggest mistake is not asking for repetition when you need it. Pretending to understand when you don’t helps no one and can lead to confusion later. Portuguese speakers respect honesty and appreciate when learners actively work to understand.

Make requesting repetition a normal part of your conversation practice. The more comfortable you become with these phrases, the more confidently you’ll navigate real-world Portuguese interactions.

Practice Strategies for Mastery

Role-Playing Scenarios

Practice these phrases with language partners or tutors through role-playing exercises. Create scenarios where you deliberately miss information and need to ask for repetition. This rehearsal builds muscle memory and reduces hesitation in real situations.

Try practicing different contexts:
– Ordering at a restaurant
– Asking for directions
– Participating in a work meeting
– Chatting with friends
– Speaking on the phone

Each scenario helps you understand which phrases feel most natural in different settings.

Listening Practice

Improve your need for repetition by enhancing your listening comprehension. Watch Portuguese movies, series, and videos, gradually increasing the speed. When you miss something, pause and try to figure out what was said before checking subtitles.

This practice not only improves your understanding but also helps you recognize when you genuinely need repetition versus when you can infer meaning from context.

Recording Yourself

Record yourself saying these phrases to check your pronunciation and intonation. Pay attention to the rising tone at the end of questions like como? or pode repetir? The melody of your speech affects how polite and natural you sound.

Compare your recordings to native speakers and adjust accordingly. Small improvements in pronunciation make your requests clearer and more likely to be understood the first time.

Building Confidence in Conversation

Accepting Imperfection

Every language learner needs to ask for repetition regularly—this is completely normal and expected. Accepting this reality reduces anxiety and helps you focus on actual communication rather than appearing perfect.

Native Portuguese speakers don’t expect flawless comprehension from learners. They expect genuine effort and engagement, which includes asking for clarification when needed.

Celebrating Small Victories

Each time you successfully ask for and receive repetition, you’ve accomplished something important. You’ve maintained conversation flow, demonstrated persistence, and learned something new. These small victories accumulate into genuine language proficiency over time.

Notice when you start understanding more on the first attempt and need repetition less frequently. This progress indicates your listening skills are improving, even though you’ll always need clarification sometimes—even native speakers do!

Creating a Learning Mindset

View every request for repetition as a learning opportunity rather than a failure. When someone repeats themselves, you get a second chance to hear pronunciation, notice grammar structures, and cement vocabulary in your memory.

This positive mindset transforms potentially frustrating moments into valuable learning experiences. You’ll find yourself more willing to engage in conversations and less worried about understanding everything perfectly the first time.

Advanced Techniques for Fluent Communication

Partial Understanding Strategies

Sometimes you understand most of what was said but miss one key word or detail. In these cases, you can ask for repetition of just that part:

Você disse que vai onde amanhã?
(You said you’re going where tomorrow?)

This targeted approach shows you were paying attention and only need clarification on a specific point. It’s more efficient than asking someone to repeat everything.

Confirming Understanding

After someone repeats themselves, confirm your understanding by paraphrasing what you heard:

Então, você vai viajar na próxima semana, é isso?
(So, you’re going to travel next week, is that right?)

This technique ensures accurate comprehension and shows the speaker that you’re engaged and processing information carefully.

Learning from Context

As you advance, try to use context clues before immediately asking for repetition. Sometimes continuing to listen provides the information you need. However, don’t hesitate to ask if something remains unclear—understanding fully is always better than guessing.

Conclusion

Mastering how to ask someone to repeat themselves in Portuguese opens doors to deeper, more meaningful conversations. From the simple como? to more formal expressions like poderia repetir, por favor?, you now have a comprehensive toolkit for various social situations. Remember that asking for repetition demonstrates respect for the speaker and commitment to genuine understanding—qualities that native speakers greatly appreciate. Use these phrases confidently, combine them with appropriate body language, and embrace every clarification as an opportunity to improve your Portuguese skills.