What Does Como Assim Mean? Ask for Clarification in Portuguese — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Use como assim? when you need more context
Como assim? often means “How so?” or “What do you mean?” It signals that you want the speaker to explain a detail, clarify a surprising statement, or give an example. Tone matters: with a curious voice it is a natural request for clarification; a sharp tone can sound impatient.
You can repeat the key information after the phrase to show exactly what confused you. A short follow-up keeps the conversation moving and makes the request clearer.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Como assim, o restaurante fechou? | What do you mean, the restaurant closed? |
| Como assim você vai embora hoje? | How so—you’re leaving today? |
| Como assim? Pode explicar melhor? | What do you mean? Could you explain a little more? |
Ask a more specific follow-up if needed
Como assim? is useful in casual conversation, but a specific question can help when you need practical information. Ask what changed, when something happened, or which detail the other person means.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Como assim o horário mudou? Qual é o novo horário? | What do you mean the time changed? What is the new time? |
| Como assim não tem ingresso? Acabou hoje? | What do you mean there are no tickets? Did they sell out today? |
Remember: Use como assim? to invite an explanation, then add a focused follow-up question. A curious tone makes the phrase sound open rather than confrontational.
Check your understanding
Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.
Recall the Portuguese, then say it
Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.
What do you mean, the restaurant closed?
Show a Portuguese answer
Como assim, o restaurante fechou?
How so—you’re leaving today?
Show a Portuguese answer
Como assim você vai embora hoje?
What do you mean? Could you explain a little more?
Show a Portuguese answer
Como assim? Pode explicar melhor?
What do you mean the time changed? What is the new time?
Show a Portuguese answer
Como assim o horário mudou? Qual é o novo horário?
What do you mean there are no tickets? Did they sell out today?
Show a Portuguese answer
Como assim não tem ingresso? Acabou hoje?
Make the phrase useful to you
Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.
Use como assim? to invite an explanation, then add a focused follow-up question. A curious tone makes the phrase sound open rather than confrontational.
Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.
Sources and your next lesson
This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our What Does Como Assim Mean? Ask for Clarification in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.
To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.
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