How to say “Can you repeat that slowly” in Spanish basics

Introduction

Learning to ask someone to repeat themselves slowly is an essential survival phrase for beginners in Spanish. This article explains simple, practical ways to say Can you repeat that slowly in Latin American Spanish, plus useful vocabulary, polite variations, common mistakes, and ready-to-use examples for real conversations.

Why this phrase matters

When you are new to Spanish, native speakers often talk quickly. Knowing how to ask Can you repeat that slowly will help you understand directions, menus, and conversations. It also shows politeness and helps keep communication smooth in shops, restaurants, buses, classrooms, and travel situations.

Core phrases to learn

Start with short, clear phrases you can use anywhere. The simplest, most direct phrase is strong ¿Puede repetir eso despacio? This is polite and works in service interactions and formal situations.

For a slightly more casual version for friends or people your age, use strong ¿Puedes repetir eso despacio? which uses the tú form.

If you want to emphasize speed, use strong ¿Puede hablar más despacio? or strong ¿Puedes hablar más despacio? which literally mean Can you speak more slowly?

Another polite and useful form is strong ¿Lo puede repetir más despacio? which places the object pronoun first and is common in Latin American Spanish.

Breaking down the phrases: vocabulary and grammar

Understand key words so you can adapt the phrase to different situations.

strong Puede / strong Puedes — can (usted form / tú form). Use strong Puede for polite or formal contexts and strong Puedes for friends or peers.

strong Repetir — to repeat. The infinitive form appears in these requests; you can also use conjugated forms like strong repita in very formal commands.

strong Eso — that. Refers to what was said. You can substitute with strong esto or repeat the specific word instead.

strong Despacio — slowly. This adverb tells the speaker to reduce speed. You can also say strong más despacio to mean more slowly.

Polite vs. casual: when to use which

Use strong ¿Puede repetir eso despacio? in stores, with older people, with teachers, or in formal settings. This uses the usted form and sounds courteous.

Use strong ¿Puedes repetir eso despacio? with classmates, friends, people your age, or when you know the person prefers informal speech.

In group settings or with someone you do not address directly, you can say strong Disculpe, ¿puede repetir eso despacio? which adds an apology or attention-getter and is very polite.

Short alternatives for quick use

Sometimes you need a fast, compact phrase. Try strong Más despacio, por favor which means More slowly, please. It is short and polite and works well when you only need a slower pace.

Another quick option is strong ¿Otra vez, despacio? which means Again, slowly? It is casual and useful when you already said something like Lo siento, no entendí.

Examples in realistic contexts

At a cafe when you missed the order details:

strong Barista: ¿Qué desea?

strong You: Disculpe, ¿puede repetir eso despacio?

On a bus when the driver announces stops quickly:

strong Conductor: La próxima parada es Avenida Central, del lado derecho.

strong You: ¿Puede repetir eso despacio, por favor?

In class during a lecture:

strong Profesor: Vamos a analizar este texto y luego hacemos ejercicios.

strong You: Lo siento, ¿puede repetir eso despacio? No entendí la última parte.

Talking with a friend who speaks fast:

strong Amigo: Ayer fui al mercado y encontré…

strong You: ¿Puedes repetir eso despacio? No entendí bien.

Pronunciation tips for beginners

Despacio is pronounced deh-PAH-sio; stress on the PA syllable. Practice saying the phrase slowly yourself: strong ¿Puede repetir eso despacio? Emphasize the verb and the word despacio so listeners hear your request.

When you use por favor at the end, say it gently: por fah-VOR. Politeness words can soften the tone and increase the chance of a helpful response.

Common follow-up requests

If the speaker repeats but you still do not understand, ask them to repeat a specific word. Use strong ¿Cómo dijo esa palabra? or strong ¿Cómo se dice eso? which mean How did you say that word? or How is that said?

To ask for spelling, use strong ¿Me lo puede deletrear, por favor? which means Can you spell it for me, please? This is useful for names, addresses, or unfamiliar vocabulary.

If the speaker uses unfamiliar vocabulary, try strong ¿Qué significa esa palabra? meaning What does that word mean? You can then ask for a simple definition: strong ¿Puede explicarlo en palabras más sencillas?

Polite fillers and supportive phrases

When asking someone to slow down, adding a short explanation helps. Use strong Estoy aprendiendo español which tells the person you are learning Spanish and many people will naturally slow down and simplify their speech.

Other helpful lines: strong Perdón, no entiendo bien meaning Sorry, I do not understand well, or strong Hablo un poco de español meaning I speak a little Spanish. These cues set expectations and encourage patience.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not mix usted and tú forms in the same sentence. For example, saying Can you repeat that slowly with usted at the start and tú later sounds inconsistent. Pick one: either strong ¿Puede repetir eso despacio? or strong ¿Puedes repetir eso despacio?

Avoid literal English translations like Can you repeat that slowly? that become awkward if you translate word-for-word. Use the natural Spanish structures shown above.

Make sure to use despacio or más despacio rather than lento. Lento is an adjective; while understood, it is less natural than despacio for speaking speed.

Practice exercises for beginners

Practice 1: Role-play ordering at a restaurant. One person acts as server and reads a menu item quickly. The learner responds with strong Disculpe, ¿puede repetir eso despacio?

Practice 2: Listening drill. Listen to a short audio clip in Spanish and pause after a sentence. Try saying strong ¿Puedes repetir eso despacio? and then repeat the sentence as clearly as possible.

Practice 3: Use sticky notes. Place a note with strong Estoy aprendiendo español on your bag or phone. When someone speaks to you, show it and say strong Más despacio, por favor.

Extra vocabulary related to listening and understanding

strong Entender — to understand. Useful when you want to explain difficulty: No entiendo.

strong Otra vez — again. Use when you need repetition: ¿Otra vez, por favor?

strong Más claro — clearer. Ask someone to speak more clearly: ¿Puede hablar más claro?

strong Despacio — slowly. The key adverb in our topic.

Short scripts to memorize

Script 1 for formal situations: Disculpe, ¿puede repetir eso despacio? No pude tomar nota.

Script 2 for informal situations: ¿Puedes repetir eso despacio? Estoy aprendiendo español.

Script 3 quick request: Más despacio, por favor. Gracias.

Tips for building confidence

Keep your request short and polite. Most people appreciate any effort to communicate and will respond kindly. Pair the phrase with a smile and simple body language to make the interaction smoother.

Record yourself saying the phrases and compare to native Latin American speakers from language apps or videos to adjust rhythm and intonation. Practice in safe environments like language exchanges or friendly stores where mistakes are welcome.

Conclusion

Mastering how to ask Can you repeat that slowly in Spanish gives you immediate communicative power. Use phrases like strong ¿Puede repetir eso despacio? strong ¿Puedes repetir eso despacio? and strong Más despacio, por favor to handle real-life situations. With a few polite variations, vocabulary cues, and practice scripts, you will better understand conversations and feel more confident speaking in Latin American Spanish.