Poderia reformular?

You use this when the words make sense individually, but the logic doesn't. Or perhaps the person used too much jargon. Simply wait for a pause and drop the question. You can add a pergunta (the question) or o que disse (what you said) at the end. It sounds smooth and very educated.

This is perfect for professional meetings or classroom settings. Use it when a colleague explains a complex project and your brain freezes. It is also great at the bank or a doctor's office. It helps you avoid nodding along while being totally lost. It saves you from making expensive or painful mistakes later.

Don't use this with your best friend at a loud bar. It will sound way too stiff and robotic. In that case, a simple O quê? or Como? works better. Also, avoid using it if you simply didn't hear the sound. If a truck drove by, just say you didn't hear. Use this only when the *content* was the problem.

Portuguese speakers value politeness and 'saving face.' Directly saying 'I don't understand you' can sometimes feel a bit blunt. By asking them to reformular, you are subtly suggesting the explanation was the issue, not your intelligence. It is a very diplomatic way to navigate tricky conversations in Brazil or Portugal.

You might hear Pode explicar de outra forma? which is slightly more common. In very formal settings, people might say Poderia ser mais claro?. If you want to be extra polite, add a por favor at the end. It never hurts to be a bit more charming while you are confused!