Portuguese at a Brazilian University: Ask a Professor and Join Class — 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.
Introduce yourself and ask how to participate
A class is aula, a course is curso or disciplina, and a professor may be called professor or professora. The level of formality varies across institutions and relationships, so follow the way the instructor introduces themself. A direct greeting plus your name is enough for a first introduction.
If you are new to the class, ask where to find the syllabus, schedule, or course platform. These questions are useful whether you are studying as a visiting student or joining a local program.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Oi, professora. Meu nome é Alex e estou chegando agora à turma. | Hello, Professor. My name is Alex, and I’m new to the class. |
| Onde posso encontrar o programa da disciplina? | Where can I find the course syllabus? |
| As atividades ficam disponíveis na plataforma? | Are the assignments available on the platform? |
Ask for a repeat or a different explanation
If you miss a point in a lecture, ask the professor to repeat a sentence, explain one term, or share where the topic appears in the reading. A precise request is easier to answer than “I didn’t understand anything.” You can also say which part you did follow and name the part that remains unclear.
Use poderia (could you) for a courteous request, or pode (can you) in a more direct everyday question. Either can be appropriate; tone and relationship matter as much as the verb form.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Poderia repetir a última instrução? | Could you repeat the last instruction? |
| O que significa este termo neste contexto? | What does this term mean in this context? |
| Entendi a primeira parte, mas pode explicar o exemplo de novo? | I understood the first part, but could you explain the example again? |
Confirm an assignment and its deadline
Ask what to submit, how to submit it, and when it is due. Prazo is a deadline; entregar means to submit or hand in. If there are several requirements, repeat the key details back to confirm them and write them down after class.
A simple follow-up message can thank the instructor and confirm one point. For longer professional messages, our guide to Brazilian Portuguese email greetings and sign-offs offers more formal language.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| O trabalho deve ser entregue até sexta-feira? | Is the assignment due by Friday? |
| Preciso enviar o arquivo em PDF? | Do I need to submit the file as a PDF? |
| Então a apresentação é em grupo e dura dez minutos? | So the presentation is in a group and lasts ten minutes? |
Remember: After class, write down the question you asked, the professor’s answer, and the deadline. This turns a short conversation into a clear next action.
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.
Hello, Professor. My name is Alex, and I’m new to the class.
Show a Portuguese answer
Oi, professora. Meu nome é Alex e estou chegando agora à turma.
Where can I find the course syllabus?
Show a Portuguese answer
Onde posso encontrar o programa da disciplina?
Are the assignments available on the platform?
Show a Portuguese answer
As atividades ficam disponíveis na plataforma?
Could you repeat the last instruction?
Show a Portuguese answer
Poderia repetir a última instrução?
What does this term mean in this context?
Show a Portuguese answer
O que significa este termo neste contexto?
I understood the first part, but could you explain the example again?
Show a Portuguese answer
Entendi a primeira parte, mas pode explicar o exemplo de novo?
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.
After class, write down the question you asked, the professor’s answer, and the deadline. This turns a short conversation into a clear next action.
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 Portuguese at a Brazilian University: Ask a Professor and Join Class 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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