Talk About Running Pace in Brazilian Portuguese: Slow, Steady, or Fast
Learn natural Brazilian Portuguese for explaining your pace, checking whether a partner wants to speed up, and asking for a short break.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Ritmo is pace and correr devagar means to run slowly. You can describe an easy run as um ritmo tranquilo (a relaxed pace) or say que quero aumentar o ritmo (I want to increase the pace). Choose the phrase that accurately describes your effort.
Describe how fast you are running
When running with someone, ask whether the pace works for them rather than assuming both people want the same workout.
Hoje quero correr em um ritmo tranquilo.
Today I want to run at a relaxed pace.
Esse ritmo está bom para você?
Is this pace okay for you?
Ask to slow down, speed up, or wait
A partner may be training for a different goal. Use pode diminuir um pouco? to ask them to slow down, and quer acelerar? to ask whether they want to speed up. Be clear if you are asking to change the pace temporarily or for the rest of the route.
If you need to stop, tell the group where you will wait and whether you plan to continue.
Pode diminuir um pouco? Quero manter esse ritmo por mais tempo.
Can we slow down a little? I want to keep this pace for longer.
Vou caminhar um minuto e depois continuo.
I am going to walk for a minute and then continue.
Talk about the run afterward
A corrida was the run or race; treino is a workout or training session. Afterward, compare how the route felt, how long you ran, or what you want to practice next. You can mention your experience without turning the conversation into a competition.
Numbers help make your answer specific: corri por trinta minutos means I ran for thirty minutes.
Corri por trinta minutos sem parar.
I ran for thirty minutes without stopping.
Na próxima vez, quero treinar subida.
Next time, I want to train on hills.
Put it into practice
Name the pace you want, communicate before changing it, and make your request clear when you need a break.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “I ran for thirty minutes without stopping”?
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.