🇵🇹🇧🇷

How to Say ‘Speak slowly’ in Portuguese

Fale devagar

Fah-lee Deh-vah-gar

[Fah-lee Deh-vah-gar]

💬 Usage Tip: fale here is the polite/request form of falar, so it works for "speak ..." when asking someone to do something. You'll see the same shape in desculpe and espere.

🇵🇹 In Portugal: This can sound a bit direct on its own, so learners often soften it with por favor. It's fine in real situations, especially if you're struggling to follow.

Phrase Breakdown

Fale

[Fah-lee]

Speak

To verbalize words.

Example

Fale mais alto, por favor.

Speak louder, please.

devagar

[Deh-vah-gar]

slowly

In a gradual or undeveloped manner.

Example

Ele fala devagar para ser entendido.

He speaks slowly to be understood.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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