De Repente: How to Say ‘Suddenly’ in Brazilian Portuguese
De repente usually means ‘suddenly.’ In some informal suggestions it can mean ‘maybe,’ so use context to understand the speaker.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
De repente commonly means “suddenly” or “all of a sudden.” It describes a change that happens quickly or without much warning. Put it before or after the event; the verb tells the listener what changed.
Use de repente for a sudden change
The expression is not limited to dramatic events. It can describe a phone ringing, weather changing, or someone arriving unexpectedly. In written stories, a comma often follows de repente when it opens the sentence.
De repente, todo mundo começou a rir.
Suddenly, everyone started laughing.
O céu escureceu de repente.
The sky suddenly grew dark.
De repente, alguém bateu na porta.
All of a sudden, someone knocked on the door.
Recognize a possible informal ‘maybe’
In some casual Brazilian conversations, de repente can soften a suggestion and mean “maybe” or “perhaps”: De repente, a gente pode ir mais cedo. This usage is informal and depends on context; it is not the only meaning of the expression.
If you are speaking and want to make your meaning unmistakable, use talvez for “maybe.” When listening, look at the grammar: an event that changed suddenly points to the common sudden-change meaning, while a proposed plan can signal the informal suggestion use.
De repente, podemos pedir uma mesa lá fora.
Maybe we could ask for a table outside.
Talvez seja melhor esperar mais dez minutos.
Maybe it’s better to wait ten more minutes.
A porta abriu de repente com o vento.
The door suddenly opened in the wind.
Put it into practice
De repente usually means ‘suddenly’; in some informal suggestions it can mean ‘maybe,’ while talvez is the clearest choice when you speak.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “The door suddenly opened in the wind”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
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