Maybe you’ve felt that “YES!” moment: a Portuguese speaker says something, and suddenly, the words click. Your brain lights up, your heart races—it’s emocionanteexciting ! But language learning, like Dr. Seuss warned, comes with its “sometimes you won’t” days. Even seasoned learners miss words, freeze mid-conversation, or nod along pretending to understand (we’ve all been there 😅).
The truth? Confusion isn’t failure—it’s part of the dance. Whether you’re a beginner or near-fluent, knowing how to say “I don’t understand” or “Can you repeat that?” turns awkward moments into opportunities. Let’s break down the phrases that’ll keep you dancing, even when the rhythm feels off.
“I don’t understand.”
When you don’t understand what someone is saying to you, you can simply say:
Não percebiI didn't understand
This is the most common phrase to use in European Portuguese. Perceber means “to perceive”, so it’s similar to saying “I didn’t get that / catch that”.
You can even add more to it, by saying:
Desculpe, não percebi. Pode falar mais devagar?Sorry, I didn’t understand. Can you (formal) speak more slowly?You may have noticed that we used the past tense. That’s to indicate that you didn’t understand what they just said right now.
Avoid saying Não perceboI don't understand (present tense) as it can make it sound like you’re not able to understand the person speaking at all.
The following 2 phrases also mean “I didn’t understand”, but are just slightly less common to hear:
“Do you understand?”
Now, another thing that will happen when you’re new to Portuguese and know just enough, is that Portuguese speakers might not understand what you are trying to say. If someone looks a bit confused, you can again use the verb perceber:
- If you’re talking with a friend or someone your age:
- With someone you don’t know well or in a more formal situation:
- To be extra polite/formal (when talking to strangers, for instance):
Fun fact: The senhor/senhora structure dates back to avoiding direct address with nobility! Today, it’s a mark of respect.
“Yes, I understand”
If someone asks if you understand, rather than just saying sim or não, include the verb in your response. For example:
Sim, perceboYes, I understand Sim, estou a perceberYes, I’m understanding Já percebiI understoodIf you just answer “sim,” a Portuguese person might think, “Sim… what?” It might actually sound like you’re pretending to understand when you don’t. (Which also happens to be a natural part of the learning journey.)
When you want to keep the conversation in Portuguese…
Early learners often avoid speaking to dodge confusion. Here’s the secret: start with simple, predictable interactions.
For example, ordering at a café is easier than having an open-ended chat with your neighbour:
- Queria um café, por favorI'd like a coffee, please
- Quanto custa?How much does it cost?
- A conta, por favorThe bill, please
And don’t be afraid to use these phrases:
- Com licença...Pardon me...
- Pode repetir, por favor?Can you repeat that, please?
- Mais devagar, por favorMore slowly, please
It’s completely normal to only understand about 60% of what you hear when you’re learning. But you’ll feel more confident if you know how to navigate those moments without switching right back to English.
So next time you’re stuck, remember: even Portuguese kids (and adults!) say “não percebi” sometimes. Keep asking, keep listening, and soon, you’ll be the one asking “Percebe?” with a wink 😉