De Novo vs. Mais Uma Vez: Say ‘Again’ in Portuguese — Practice

Use de novo for a natural, conversational ‘again’

De novo is a common everyday phrase meaning ‘again’ or ‘one more time.’ It works before or after many actions: explica de novo (explain again), comecei de novo (I started over). The verb tells you whether something is repeated or restarted.

If you did not understand a word, ask someone to say it de novo. Add mais devagar (more slowly) to make the request clear and helpful.

Use mais uma vez to emphasize an additional repetition

Mais uma vez literally means ‘one more time.’ It can be slightly more deliberate than de novo and fits instructions or moments when you want to emphasize another repetition. Outra vez also means ‘again’ and may sound more formal depending on the sentence.

Avoid stacking both expressions in one request unless you have a reason to emphasize repetition: repetir de novo mais uma vez can sound redundant. Choose one phrase and make the request specific.

Remember: De novo is a relaxed, flexible ‘again.’ Mais uma vez emphasizes one additional repetition; outra vez is another useful alternative.

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.

1. Could you repeat that again, please?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Pode repetir de novo, por favor?

2. Let’s try again tomorrow.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Vamos tentar de novo amanhã.

3. She started the exercise over.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ela começou o exercício de novo.

4. Listen one more time and write down the new word.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Escute mais uma vez e anote a palavra nova.

5. Can you say that one more time?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você pode falar mais uma vez?

6. Please read the last sentence again.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Por favor, leia a última frase outra vez.

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.

De novo is a relaxed, flexible ‘again.’ Mais uma vez emphasizes one additional repetition; outra vez is another useful alternative.

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 De Novo vs. Mais Uma Vez: Say ‘Again’ 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.