Polite Requests in Portuguese: Pode, Poderia, and Por Favor
A polite request depends on the verb form, tone, and situation. Learn practical ways to ask for help without translating English word for word.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Pode + infinitive is a common way to ask whether someone can do something: Pode ajudar? (Can you help?), Pode esperar um minuto? (Can you wait a minute?). Add por favor to make the request courteous.
Use pode + infinitive for a clear everyday request
The same form can ask about possibility or ability. Tone and the situation tell the listener whether you are making a request or asking what is possible. A friendly voice and a specific request make the meaning clear.
Pode me ajudar com esta mala, por favor?
Could you help me with this suitcase, please?
Pode falar mais devagar?
Could you speak more slowly?
Você pode fechar a janela?
Can you close the window?
Choose poderia when you want a softer or more formal tone
Poderia + infinitive is a conditional form that can make a request sound more tentative or formal: Poderia repetir? (Could you repeat that?). It is useful with strangers, staff, or in a careful written message, but it is not the only polite option.
Do not think of pode as rude by itself. A short request with por favor is often perfectly polite in everyday Brazilian situations. Choose the form that fits your relationship and the level of formality you want.
Poderia confirmar o endereço, por favor?
Could you confirm the address, please?
Poderia me trazer a conta?
Could you bring me the bill?
Você poderia escrever isso para mim?
Could you write that down for me?
Name exactly what you need
A short, specific request is easier to answer than a vague apology. Ask the person to repeat a price, show a direction on a map, or write down a name. You can say com licença to get someone’s attention before you ask.
Use me or para mim with verbs and expressions that require it; do not copy English word order automatically. These small chunks are useful to memorize as complete requests, especially in a noisy or unfamiliar place.
Com licença, pode me dizer onde fica a estação?
Excuse me, could you tell me where the station is?
Pode mostrar no mapa?
Could you show me on the map?
Poderia repetir o número?
Could you repeat the number?
Respond if you cannot help or need a moment
You may hear Posso ajudar? (Can I help?) or Você precisa de alguma coisa? (Do you need anything?). Accept with Sim, por favor and name what you need. If you cannot help, say Desculpe, não posso agora, or explain when you will be available.
A request and an offer use similar words but point in opposite directions: pode asks whether the other person can do something; posso offers or asks whether you can do it. Practice both patterns with short role-plays in Real Life Portuguese and bring your own situations to I Speak Portuguese for teacher feedback.
Posso ajudar? Sim, por favor.
Can I help? Yes, please.
Agora não posso, mas posso depois do almoço.
I can’t right now, but I can after lunch.
Você precisa de mais alguma coisa? Não, obrigado.
Do you need anything else? No, thank you. (speaker: man)
Put it into practice
Make three requests with pode and one with poderia. Add por favor to one, then swap roles and answer an offer with posso.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Could you speak more slowly”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
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.