Portuguese Phrases to Ask Someone to Repeat, Explain, or Spell a Word
Keep a conversation moving with short questions that help you recover when a word or detail is unclear.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
When you miss something, ask Pode repetir, por favor? (Could you repeat, please?) or Como? (Sorry? / What?). If one specific word was unclear, name it: Não entendi a última palavra (I didn’t understand the last word). These requests are useful in class, a shop, a meeting, and casual conversation.
Ask someone to repeat a word or sentence
You do not need to apologize at length. A calm request and a polite tone show the speaker what would help. Repeating a short section is often more effective than asking them to start the entire conversation again.
Desculpe, pode repetir o nome da rua?
Sorry, could you repeat the street name?
Não entendi a última palavra.
I didn’t understand the last word.
Como? Você pode repetir?
Sorry? Could you repeat that?
Request a slower pace or a different explanation
If you understand some words but not the whole sentence, ask Pode falar mais devagar? (Could you speak more slowly?) or Pode explicar de outro jeito? (Could you explain it another way?). You can also repeat what you understood and identify the part you need help with.
People often respond more helpfully when they know whether to slow down, simplify, or give an example. Ask for the kind of support you need rather than saying only that your Portuguese is not good.
Pode falar um pouco mais devagar, por favor?
Could you speak a little more slowly, please?
Você pode explicar com um exemplo?
Can you explain with an example?
Pode dizer isso de outro jeito?
Could you say that another way?
Ask how to spell a name, place, or email
For a name, address, or email, ask Pode soletrar? (Could you spell it?). Then repeat the letters or write them down and confirm. Portuguese letter names differ from English, so spelling a proper noun one letter at a time can prevent a misunderstanding.
Numbers and street names are especially worth confirming. If you are using a phone or booking a service, ask the person to send the exact information in a message when that is possible.
Como se escreve seu sobrenome?
How do you spell your last name?
Pode soletrar o nome do hotel?
Could you spell the hotel’s name?
Você pode escrever o endereço para mim?
Can you write the address for me?
Repeat the key detail to check your understanding
A confirmation phrase helps you verify what you heard: Então, é na Rua Central? (So, it is on Central Street?). Use só para confirmar (just to confirm) before repeating the detail. The other person can correct you immediately, which is easier than discovering the mistake later.
Practice one clarification question for names, one for numbers, and one for meaning. This creates a small toolkit you can retrieve when a conversation becomes difficult. Real Life Portuguese provides phrase guides for travel and work; I Speak Portuguese teachers can help you practice asking follow-up questions aloud.
Só para confirmar: o ônibus sai às oito?
Just to confirm: the bus leaves at eight?
Entendi que a consulta é na terça-feira. Certo?
I understood that the appointment is on Tuesday. Is that right?
Você quis dizer a entrada principal?
Did you mean the main entrance?
Put it into practice
Choose the repair you need: repeat, slow down, explain another way, spell it, or confirm a detail. Specific questions make conversations easier to recover.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Can you explain with an example”?
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.