How to ask for clarification at work in English.

The simplest phrase to start with

“Could you say that again, please?” is a useful, polite way to ask someone to repeat. In Portuguese: “Você poderia repetir, por favor?” You can use it in a meeting, at reception or on the phone.

You do not need to apologise repeatedly or explain your whole language-learning history. A short request gives the other person a chance to help. These phrases are common in English and useful in the UK; they are not uniquely British.

When you did not hear a particular detail

“Sorry, I didn’t catch the last part.” — Desculpe, não entendi a última parte. Use this when part of the message was lost.

“Was that thirteen or thirty?” — Foi treze ou trinta? Offer the two possibilities if you are unsure about a number.

“Could you spell the surname, please?” — Você poderia soletrar o sobrenome, por favor? This is useful when writing a name during a call.

When you heard the words but need an explanation

Repeating the same words may not solve the problem. Try “What do you mean by ‘turnaround time’?” — O que você quer dizer com “prazo de execução”?

Or ask “Could you give me an example?” — Você poderia me dar um exemplo? An example may make an unfamiliar task easier to understand.

“Could you run that by me again?” is a more conversational alternative to asking for repetition. If you are unsure of the tone, the simpler “Could you say that again, please?” works well.

When the conversation is too fast

“Could you speak a little more slowly, please?” — Você poderia falar um pouco mais devagar, por favor?

On a call, a connection problem may be the issue: “The line is breaking up. Could you repeat that?” — A ligação está falhando. Você poderia repetir? Use this only when that is what is happening.

Confirm meaning, then confirm the action

“Just to check, do you mean Friday morning?” — Só para confirmar: você quer dizer sexta de manhã? This gives the speaker something specific to confirm or correct.

After their answer, summarise your action: “Thanks. I’ll send it before ten on Friday.” If the deadline still is not clear, ask again rather than guessing.

Practise a short workplace exchange

Example: a colleague says, “Could you send the updated figures before the catch-up?”

You ask: “Just to check, do you mean the sales figures?” The colleague replies: “Yes, for this month.” You ask: “And what time is the catch-up?” The colleague replies: “Ten tomorrow morning.”

You finish: “Thanks. I’ll send this month’s sales figures before ten tomorrow.” This is an invented practice dialogue, not a customer story.

Try it yourself

A colleague asks you to send a file, but you did not hear the date. Say one clarification question aloud. Then imagine the answer is Thursday and confirm what you will do.

One possible answer: “Sorry, which day do you need it?” followed by “Thanks. I’ll send the file by Thursday.” Choose two phrases from this guide and rehearse them with a different task.

If these situations happen often, a free consultation can help you discuss your learning needs with Fabiana. Lessons can practise real UK work and everyday situations with explanations in Portuguese when useful.