5 Brazilian Portuguese Questions to Keep a Conversation Going
Learn short questions that help you understand an unfamiliar word, follow an explanation, and invite someone to say more.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
When one expression blocks the rest of a conversation, ask O que quer dizer? (What does it mean?). You can point to the exact word or repeat the phrase you heard. A focused question makes it easier for the other person to explain without restarting the whole discussion.
Ask what a word or phrase means
If you caught the sound but not the spelling, say Como se escreve? (How is it written?). Use the question after the speaker explains the meaning so you can connect what you heard with the written form.
O que quer dizer essa expressão?
What does this expression mean?
Como se escreve essa palavra?
How do you spell that word?
Essa frase é informal?
Is that phrase informal?
Ask someone to repeat or slow down one part
If you did not hear a phrase, Você pode repetir? is a clear, polite way to ask “Could you repeat that?” You can add mais devagar (more slowly) or point to a specific part. Asking for one repeat is often more useful than pretending to understand and losing the next turn too.
The I Speak Portuguese source lesson focuses on questions that keep a conversation going. This adaptation turns those ideas into listening-repair phrases for learners. If the person repeats the sentence, try to catch one key word before requesting another explanation.
Você pode repetir a última parte?
Could you repeat the last part?
Pode falar um pouco mais devagar?
Could you speak a little more slowly?
Você disse terça ou quinta?
Did you say Tuesday or Thursday?
Invite an example when an explanation feels abstract
Pode dar um exemplo? asks for a concrete example. It works well after someone describes a rule, preference, or idea that you understand only in general. Examples give you context and often reveal which words naturally appear together.
You can follow up by checking your interpretation: Então, você quer dizer que…? (So, do you mean that…?). Use a short summary, then let the other person confirm or correct it. This makes the exchange collaborative rather than turning it into a vocabulary quiz.
Pode dar um exemplo de uma situação comum?
Could you give an example of a common situation?
Então, você quer dizer que depende do contexto?
So, do you mean that it depends on the context?
Como você usaria essa palavra numa frase?
How would you use that word in a sentence?
Use a follow-up question to show interest
A conversation also continues when you invite the other person to say more. E você? (And you?), Por quê? (Why?), and Como foi? (How was it?) are short follow-ups. Choose one that fits what the person just shared rather than asking questions from a memorized list in sequence.
Practice five questions: O que quer dizer?, Você pode repetir?, Pode falar mais devagar?, Pode dar um exemplo?, and E você? The I Speak Portuguese lesson provides more context; listen to the source after trying your own answers, and practice useful question rhythm with Real Life Portuguese.
Você gostou do filme? E você, costuma assistir a filmes brasileiros?
Did you like the movie? And you, do you usually watch Brazilian films?
Como foi a viagem?
How was the trip?
Por que você escolheu esse curso?
Why did you choose this course?
Put it into practice
Choose one question for meaning, one for repetition, and one follow-up. Practice a two-turn exchange so each question responds to something the other person actually said.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Could you give an example of a common situation”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
This guide is an original Real Life Portuguese adaptation of an earlier article from I Speak Portuguese.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.