Pode esclarecer?

Using this phrase is incredibly simple. You can use it as a standalone question if the context is obvious. Usually, you follow it with the specific point of confusion. For example, Pode esclarecer este ponto? (Can you clarify this point?). In Portugal, you might add a por favor at the end to be extra smooth. In Brazil, your tone of voice does most of the heavy lifting. It works perfectly in emails, face-to-face chats, or even over a crackling phone line.

Use it whenever you need more data. It is perfect for a business meeting when a colleague uses too much jargon. Use it at the doctor's office if the diagnosis sounds like Latin. Use it with a friend who is giving you confusing directions to a party. It shows you are paying attention but just need a little more help. It makes you look smart because you are seeking precision.

Avoid this phrase in very high-intensity emotional arguments. If your partner is upset, asking them to "clarify" might sound a bit too robotic or cold. Don't use it for simple things like "What time is it?"—that would be weird. Also, in very rowdy, informal settings with close friends, it might sound a bit too stiff. In those cases, a simple O quê? or Como assim? fits the vibe better.

Portuguese speakers generally value politeness and "saving face." By asking Pode esclarecer?, you aren't saying "I'm lost." Instead, you are suggesting the explanation could be a bit better. It shifts the burden of clarity onto the speaker in a gentle way. Historically, the word esclarecer comes from claro (clear/light). You are literally asking for more light on the subject. It reflects a culture that appreciates intellectual clarity and formal courtesy.

If you want to sound even more formal, try Poderia esclarecer? (Could you clarify?). For a more casual vibe, you might say Explica melhor? (Explain better?). If you are talking to a group, use Podem esclarecer?. In Brazil, you'll often hear Pode me explicar? which is slightly more personal. In Portugal, Pode dar um esclarecimento? is a common, slightly more noun-heavy alternative. All of them get you to the same destination: understanding.