Portuguese Conversation Repair Phrases: Ask Someone to Repeat or Clarify
You do not need to understand every word to stay in a Portuguese conversation. Learn a few phrases that make the next step clear.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
When you miss a sentence, identify exactly what would help: another repetition, a slower version, or one unfamiliar word spelled out. A specific request is easier to answer than saying only that you do not understand.
Ask for repetition without restarting everything
Pode repetir? is a compact, polite question. Add por favor when you want to soften the request. If the speaker repeats at the same speed, you can ask for a slower version.
Pode repetir, por favor?
Could you repeat that, please?
Você pode falar um pouco mais devagar?
Could you speak a little more slowly?
Não entendi a última parte.
I didn’t understand the last part.
Clarify one word or one idea
Como se escreve? asks how something is spelled, while O que significa…? asks what a word means. If you understood the topic but not the speaker’s point, Como assim? can invite a clarification; tone and context matter, so say it with a curious voice rather than a confrontational one.
Repeating the part you did understand gives the other person a helpful starting point. It also shows that you are engaged rather than asking them to translate the whole conversation.
Entendi o horário, mas não o endereço.
I understood the time, but not the address.
Como se escreve esse nome?
How do you spell that name?
O que significa ‘retirar’?
What does ‘retirar’ mean?
Choose a repair phrase and return to the conversation
After the clarification, respond to the original idea. A short Ah, entendi (Ah, I understand) or Então… (So…) signals that you are ready to continue. These small transitions are useful at a shop, with friends, and in a lesson.
- Ask for the sentence again if you missed the sound.
- Ask about one word if the rest was clear.
- Repeat the key detail back when the information matters.
Put it into practice
Keep two or three repair phrases ready. A focused clarification often saves the conversation without switching languages.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “What does ‘retirar’ mean”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
This guide is an original Real Life Portuguese adaptation of an earlier article from I Speak Portuguese.
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