How do you say "Speak slowly" in Portuguese?

"Speak slowly" in Portuguese is "Fale devagar". This phrase is commonly used in Portugal.

🇵🇹🇧🇷

How to Say ‘Speak slowly’ in Portuguese

Q: What does "Fale devagar" mean in English?

"Fale devagar" means "Speak slowly" in English. 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].

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.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Rio de Janeiro tested my Portuguese every single day. The real-world scenarios in this app meant I could actually keep up with locals at the beach bars.”

Chris B., 33, Digital Nomad

“Moved to Lisbon with zero Portuguese and honestly thought I’d be pointing at menus forever. Three weeks in and I’m having real conversations with my landlord.”

Priya N., 35, Freelance Designer

“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”

James O., 28, Remote Worker