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Portuguese Phrase

Pode repetir isso, por favor?

/ˈpo.dʒi ʁe.peˈtiʁ ˈi.su poɾ faˈvoɾ/
Meaning"Could you repeat that, please?"
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Meaning

A courteous way to ask someone to say something again because you didn’t catch it the first time. The phrase combines a polite request (pode) with the infinitive verb (repetir) and the courtesy marker (por favor).

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When to use

Use it in any spoken interaction—classroom, meeting, phone call, or casual chat—when the speaker’s words were unclear, too fast, or you simply missed them.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Poderepetirisso,porfavor?

1

Poder (Pode)

‘Pode’ is the third‑person singular present of the verb *poder* and is commonly used as a polite request, equivalent to ‘could you’.

2

Infinitive after poder

When *poder* is used to ask permission or make a request, it is followed by an infinitive verb (here *repetir*).

3

Demonstrative pronoun *isso*

*Isso* means ‘that’ and refers to something just said or shown; it is neutral in gender.

4

Polite phrase *por favor*

*Por favor* literally means ‘for a favor’ and is placed after the request to soften it.

🗨In Conversation

A

A reunião começa às oito e meia.

The meeting starts at eight thirty.

Pode repetir isso, por favor?

Could you repeat that, please?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Podes repetir isso, por favor?

    ‘Podes’ is the second‑person singular form used only in informal European Portuguese; in Brazil it sounds odd.

  • Repetir isso por favor?

    Missing the comma and the verb *pode* makes the sentence sound abrupt and less polite.

  • Por favor pode repetir isso?

    Placing *por favor* before *pode* is acceptable in Portugal but can feel unnatural in Brazilian Portuguese; keep the order shown above for Brazil.

↔Alternatives

  • Você pode repetir, por favor?

    Could you repeat, please?

  • Pode dizer novamente, por favor?

    Could you say it again, please?

  • Desculpe, pode repetir?

    Sorry, could you repeat?

  • Pode repetir isso, por gentileza?

    Could you repeat that, kindly?

pt

Cultural Tip

In Brazil, *por favor* is almost always added after a request to keep the tone friendly. In Portugal, you’ll also hear *por favor* but many speakers add *por favor* before the request (e.g., *Por favor, pode repetir?*). Using *desculpe* before the request is another polite option, especially in formal settings.