Introduction
Missing part of a conversation happens to everyone, especially when learning a new language. This article teaches useful Brazilian Portuguese phrases and strategies to ask someone to repeat, clarify, or slow down. You will learn polite and casual options, short dialogues, and practical usage tips for real-life situations.
- Why knowing these phrases matters
- Key phrases to ask for repetition
- Asking someone to speak slower or louder
- Asking for clarification or rephrasing
- Short dialogues: practice situations
- Polite alternatives and softeners
- Common follow-up phrases after a repeat
- Non-verbal strategies to help conversations
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Pronunciation tips
- Quick reference cheat sheet
- Conclusion
Why knowing these phrases matters
When you do not catch a word or sentence in Portuguese, how you respond affects the flow of the conversation and how comfortable you feel. Using the right phrase shows respect, helps you learn, and prevents misunderstandings. Whether you are at a café, on public transport, or in class, these expressions will help you stay engaged.
Politeness levels: formal vs informal
Brazilian Portuguese distinguishes between formal and informal speech. Use formal forms with teachers, older people, or in professional settings. Use informal forms with friends, family, and people your age. Choosing the right tone helps you sound natural.
Key phrases to ask for repetition
These are the most common and direct ways to ask someone to repeat what they said.
Desculpe, pode repetir?
Usage note: A polite and neutral option. Use with anyone.
Desculpe, pode repetir, por favor?
O que você disse?
Usage note: Slightly more direct. Good among peers or when you did not hear at all.
O que você disse agora?
Como?
Usage note: Very informal and common. Use only with friends or people you already know.
Como? Não ouvi direito.
Perdão?
Usage note: A bit more formal than Como, short and polite.
Perdão, pode dizer de novo?
Asking someone to speak slower or louder
When you heard the words but they were too fast or quiet, use these phrases to ask for adjustment.
Você pode falar mais devagar?
Usage note: Ask for a slower pace. Helpful for beginners.
Você pode falar mais devagar, por favor?
Você pode falar mais alto?
Usage note: Use when the speaker is too quiet or there’s background noise.
Você pode falar mais alto? Não estou ouvindo bem.
Repete devagar, por favor
Usage note: Combines asking to repeat and slow down; friendly and useful in casual contexts.
Repete devagar, eu estou aprendendo.
Asking for clarification or rephrasing
Sometimes the phrase was clear but the meaning is unknown. Use these phrases to ask for explanation or synonyms.
O que significa isso?
Usage note: Ask for the meaning of a word or phrase. Suitable in most situations.
O que significa isso em inglês?
Você pode explicar?
Usage note: More general—ask to explain an idea or sentence.
Você pode explicar melhor?
Tem outra palavra para isso?
Usage note: Ask for a synonym or simpler word.
Tem outra palavra para isso que seja mais fácil?
Short dialogues: practice situations
Below are short dialogues that show natural ways to ask for repetition, clarification, or slower speech. Line breaks indicate pauses or turns in the conversation.
At a bakery
Cliente: Desculpe, pode repetir o preço do pão?
Atendente: Está cinco reais.
Cliente: Desculpe, cinco reais, certo?
On the bus
Passageiro A: O próximo ponto é a Av. Paulista.
Passageiro B: Como?? Não entendi.
Passageiro A: Av. Paulista, o bairro central.
Passageiro B: Obrigado, agora entendi.
In class
Aluno: O que significa isso? Essa palavra nova?
Professor: Significa responsabilidade.
Aluno: Pode usar em uma frase?
Professor: Claro: Ter responsabilidade no trabalho é essencial.
Usage notes for the dialogues
Notice how tone and formality change. In the bakery example, Desculpe is polite and neutral. On the bus, Como? is quick and informal. In class, O que significa isso? is appropriate and educational.
Polite alternatives and softeners
Add courtesy words to sound more natural and respectful in formal contexts.
Com licença, pode repetir?
Usage note: Use when interrupting someone or when you need attention first.
Com licença, eu não ouvi a última parte.
Desculpe, não entendi bem
Usage note: Softens the request and indicates genuine difficulty understanding.
Desculpe, não entendi bem, pode explicar de novo?
Poderia dizer isso de outra forma?
Usage note: More formal; good for workplace or academic settings.
Poderia dizer isso de outra forma, por favor?
Common follow-up phrases after a repeat
After the speaker repeats or explains, use these phrases to confirm you understand or to ask for an example.
Agora entendi
Usage note: Simple confirmation that you understood after they repeated.
Agora entendi, obrigado.
Você pode dar um exemplo?
Usage note: Ask for an example to see how the word or phrase is used in context.
Você pode dar um exemplo com essa palavra?
Então, quer dizer que…
Usage note: Paraphrase the idea to check comprehension.
Então, quer dizer que precisamos esperar até amanhã?
Non-verbal strategies to help conversations
Sometimes body language can complement your request for repetition or clarification. Nodding, holding a hand to your ear, or raising your eyebrows are universal cues that you need help. Brazilians are expressive and will often respond positively to polite gestures.
Use eye contact and a friendly tone to avoid sounding demanding. Smiling before asking Desculpe or Com licença makes a big difference in how your request is received.
Phone and digital communication
When you miss part of a conversation on the phone or in a voice message, slightly different phrases work better.
Você pode repetir isso no chat?
Usage note: Ask the speaker to send the information in text via messaging app for clarity.
Você pode repetir isso no chat? É mais fácil para mim.
Pode falar de novo, por favor? A conexão caiu
Usage note: Explain there was a connection issue; people are usually understanding.
Pode falar de novo? Acho que a linha caiu.
Common mistakes to avoid
Avoid sounding rude or impatient. Do not use informal phrases with strangers or older people. For example, do not use Como? or Repete in a job interview or when talking to a professor. Also, avoid overusing apologies; be clear and concise when asking for repetition.
Another common mistake is translating directly from English. Phrases like how? or huh? do not always map cleanly. Use Brazilian Portuguese equivalents for a natural tone.
Pronunciation tips
When you ask for repetition, pronouncing the key verbs clearly helps the speaker understand your request quickly.
Focus on the R sounds in perdão and repetir, and make sure the stress in devagar falls on the second syllable: de-va-GAR. For Desculpe, pronounce the initial D as in English but keep the u short: des-KUL-pe.
Practice saying short phrases out loud:
Desculpe, pode repetir
Você pode falar mais devagar
O que significa isso
Quick reference cheat sheet
Keep these short phrases in mind for fast use in conversation.
Desculpe, pode repetir? — polite, neutral
O que você disse? — direct, casual
Como? — very informal
Você pode falar mais devagar? — ask to slow down
Você pode falar mais alto? — ask to speak louder
O que significa isso? — ask for meaning
Com licença — polite opener
Conclusion
Mastering a few Brazilian Portuguese phrases to ask for repetition, clarification, or a slower pace boosts your confidence and communication skills. Use polite forms in formal settings and informal ones with friends. Practice pronunciation, use non-verbal cues, and remember short, friendly phrases like Desculpe, pode repetir? and Você pode falar mais devagar? to stay engaged in conversations and continue improving your Portuguese every day.
