Portuguese Phrase
Me explica isso, por favor?
Meaning
A polite request asking someone to explain something to the speaker. The speaker is seeking clarification or more detail about a specific point.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need a quick, informal explanation—e.g., in a classroom, at work, or with friends. It’s appropriate when the relationship allows the informal ‘tu’ form, and you want to stay courteous by adding ‘por favor’.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Meexplicaissoporfavor?
Me (pronome objeto indireto)
‘Me’ is the clitic pronoun for ‘to me’, placed before the verb in the affirmative imperative.
explica (imperativo afirmativo)
‘Explica’ is the second‑person singular (tu) affirmative imperative of ‘explicar’. It’s informal; for formal you’d use ‘explique’.
isso (pronome demonstrativo)
‘Isso’ points to something the speaker and listener both know; it functions as a direct object.
por favor (expressão de cortesia)
Adding ‘por favor’ softens the request and makes it polite. It usually follows the clause.
🗨In Conversation
Me explica isso, por favor?
Could you explain this to me, please?
Claro, o que você não entendeu?
Sure, what didn’t you understand?
✕Common Mistakes
Explica‑me isso, por favor?
‘Explica‑me’ mixes the informal imperative with the clitic after the verb, which is only used in European Portuguese; in Brazil the clitic precedes the verb.
Me explica isso por favor?
The object pronoun must come before the verb in the affirmative imperative, not after the direct object.
↔Alternatives
Pode me explicar isso, por favor?
Could you explain this to me, please?
Você poderia me explicar isso?
Could you possibly explain this to me?
Explique-me isso, por favor.
Explain this to me, please.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the informal ‘tu’ is common in the South and some Northeastern states, while most of the country prefers the formal ‘você’. If you’re speaking with someone you don’t know well, switch to the formal imperative ‘explique‑me’ or use the polite construction ‘pode me explicar…’. Adding ‘por favor’ is always appreciated and signals respect, especially in professional settings.