Introduction
Knowing how to politely pause a conversation and say you will continue later is essential in Brazilian Portuguese. This article explains useful phrases, cultural notes, tone and register, and examples for different situations — from informal chats with friends to professional follow-ups — so you can leave a conversation gracefully and resume it later.
- Why knowing these phrases matters
- Key expressions to say you will continue the conversation later
- How to choose the right phrase
- Common short endings and signals
- Sample dialogues for different scenarios
- Useful modifiers and time phrases
- Politeness and tone tips
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Practice strategies (brief)
- Useful phrase list (quick reference)
- Conclusion
Why knowing these phrases matters
In everyday life, you’ll often need to stop a conversation because of time, work, or interruptions. Saying you want to continue later shows respect and keeps relationships positive. Brazilian Portuguese has many natural ways to express this idea that vary by formality and context. Learning them helps you sound polite and native-like.
Key expressions to say you will continue the conversation later
Informal everyday phrases
Use these with friends, family, or people you know well.
Fala depois — Short and casual. Equivalent to talk later. Common among friends.
Example: Fala depois, que agora eu tenho que ir.
A gente se fala — Very common; literally we talk to each other. Friendly and neutral.
Example: A gente se fala mais tarde, tá?
Te ligo depois — I will call you later. Use when you plan to call.
Example: Estou ocupado agora, te ligo depois.
Depois a gente combina — We’ll arrange it later. Good for planning a future chat or meeting.
Example: Gostei da ideia, depois a gente combina os detalhes.
Polite phrases for semi-formal situations
Use these with acquaintances, colleagues you know, or when you want to be courteous but not overly formal.
Posso te procurar depois? — Can I reach out to you later? Slightly more formal, polite request.
Example: Tenho que resolver algo agora, posso te procurar depois?
Podemos continuar essa conversa mais tarde — We can continue this conversation later. Useful in meetings or important discussions.
Example: Esse assunto pede calma, podemos continuar essa conversa mais tarde?
Vamos retomar isso depois — Let’s pick this up later. Neutral and good for workplace use.
Example: Ótima ideia, vamos retomar isso depois quando tivermos mais informações.
Formal and professional phrases
These fit formal meetings, client calls, or communications with supervisors and people you address formally.
Podemos agendar uma continuação — We can schedule a continuation. Professional and proactive.
Example: Para ser mais eficiente, podemos agendar uma continuação desta reunião?
Retomarei este assunto mais tarde — I will return to this matter later. Slightly formal and assertive.
Example: Tenho outros compromissos agora; retomarei este assunto mais tarde.
Entrarei em contato novamente — I will get in touch again. Formal and reliable.
Example: Obrigado pelas informações. Entrarei em contato novamente assim que tiver novidades.
How to choose the right phrase
Consider three factors: who you are speaking to, how soon you will continue the conversation, and the communication channel (in person, phone, text). Matching the tone shows respect and clarity.
Register: informal vs formal
For friends use Fala depois or A gente se fala. For colleagues use Vamos retomar isso depois or Posso te procurar depois?. For bosses or clients prefer Entrarei em contato novamente or Podemos agendar uma continuação.
Timing: soon vs indefinite
If you plan to reconnect soon, add a time reference. For example: Te ligo mais tarde, A gente se fala amanhã, or Depois da reunião eu te procuro. If timing is uncertain, use softer language like A gente se fala depois or Vamos retomar quando for melhor.
Channel: phone, message, or in person
Be explicit if you know the channel. Use Te ligo depois for calls, Te mando uma mensagem for text messages, and Nos vemos depois or Vamos conversar pessoalmente depois for in-person follow-ups.
Common short endings and signals
In Portuguese, short phrases can signal you want to end now but continue later. These are useful as quick conversational closers.
Quick and polite closers
Beleza? — Okay? Used to check agreement before leaving.
Example: Beleza? então a gente se fala depois.
Combinado — Agreed. Good to confirm plans to continue.
Example: Combinado, vamos retomar isso depois da reunião.
Até mais — See you later. Friendly and non-specific.
Example: Tenho que ir, até mais!
Adding warmth or urgency
To sound warmer, add diminutives or emotive particles common in Brazilian speech. To express urgency, be clear about timing.
Warm: A gente se fala sim, viu?
Urgent: Preciso falar contigo depois, é urgente.
Sample dialogues for different scenarios
With a friend
Fala depois, tô chegando em casa agora.
A gente se fala mais tarde, então. Boa noite!
On a phone call with a colleague
Tenho que ir para outra reunião. Vamos retomar isso depois, pode ser às 16h?
Perfeito, às 16h então. Obrigado!
With a client or manager
Esses pontos precisam de análise. Podemos agendar uma continuação para amanhã?
Sim, agendamos para amanhã às 10h. Entrarei em contato novamente com o convite.
Useful modifiers and time phrases
Adding time words makes your intention clearer. Use these modifiers to specify when you will continue the conversation.
Mais tarde — Later.
Example: A gente se fala mais tarde.
Amanhã — Tomorrow.
Example: Posso te procurar amanhã de manhã?
Daqui a pouco — In a little while. Common in casual speech.
Example: Daqui a pouco eu volto e continuamos.
Depois — Afterwards / later. Flexible and widely used.
Example: Depois eu te explico com calma.
Mais tarde hoje — Later today. Helpful to be specific.
Example: Mais tarde hoje eu te mando as informações.
Politeness and tone tips
Brazilian Portuguese places importance on friendly tone. Even in professional contexts, sounding warm and cooperative is valued. Use please and thank-you phrases to soften requests and commitments.
Use por favor to be polite when asking to speak later.
Example: Por favor, podemos continuar isso depois?
Use obrigado / obrigada to thank the person, adjusting gender as needed.
Example: Obrigado pela compreensão, a gente se fala depois.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Beginners often translate directly from English and produce unnatural Portuguese. Avoid literal calques like quero continuar a conversar depois. Instead, use natural verbs and constructions like A gente se fala or Vamos retomar.
Also avoid overusing formal structures in casual settings. Saying Entrarei em contato posteriormente to a close friend sounds stiff. Match the phrase to the relationship.
Practice strategies (brief)
To internalize these expressions, listen to native speakers in TV shows, podcasts, or YouTube vlogs and shadow their lines. Note variations and common endings like beleza and combinad o. Try using a few phrases in real conversations and adjust tone based on responses.
Useful phrase list (quick reference)
Fala depois — Talk later.
A gente se fala — We will talk.
Te ligo depois — I will call you later.
Te mando uma mensagem — I will send you a message.
Vamos retomar isso depois — Let’s pick this up later.
Podemos agendar uma continuação — We can schedule a continuation.
Entrarei em contato novamente — I will get in touch again.
Depois a gente combina — We’ll arrange it later.
Daqui a pouco — In a little while.
Mais tarde — Later.
Conclusion
Mastering how to say you will continue a conversation later will make your interactions more natural and polite in Brazilian Portuguese. Use informal options like Fala depois with friends, semi-formal variations like Vamos retomar isso depois with colleagues, and formal phrases like Entrarei em contato novamente with clients. Adjust tone and timing to fit the situation, and you will leave conversations gracefully while keeping communication open.
