Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| de novo | /d͡ʒi ˈno.vu/ (Brazil) /dɨ ˈno.vu/ (Portugal) |
| outra vez | /ˈo(w).tɾɐ ˈve(j)s/ (Brazil, word by word) |
| novamente | /ˌnɔ.vaˈmẽ.t͡ʃi/ (Brazil) /ˌnɔ.vɐˈmẽ.tɨ/ (Portugal) |
All these forms are used as adverbs to mean 'again' or 'another time'. The phrase Fazer de novo specifically means 'to do again'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase de novo literally translates to 'of new'.
Which one should you use?
While all three mean 'again', they have different nuances. Outra vez emphasizes the occurrence of a separate instance or 'another time', whereas de novo often implies repeating the exact same action. Novamente is a more formal adverbial form than the common de novo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, people often use de novo or the expression mais uma vez to mean 'again'. In Portugal, both outra vez and novamente are prevalent.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of de novo is /dʒi ˈno.vu/. It has 3 syllables and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In a legal or scientific context, the expression de novo is often used in Portuguese exactly as it is in English to describe a starting process from the beginning without considering previous results.
- The word vez in outra vez is a distant relative of the English word 'vice' as in 'vice versa', both coming from the Latin root for 'change' or 'alternation'.
- Using de novo when someone makes a mistake can sound more impatient or critical than using outra vez, depending on the speaker's tone.
Examples in context
- Eu perdi de novo.I lost again.This sentence shows how to use de novo to describe a repeated loss.Tatoeba #5830905 by bill, translation #5829177 by CK
- Eu faria de novo.I'd do it again.This sentence uses de novo to express the idea of doing something again.Tatoeba #7261998 by Ricardo14, translation #1636081 by Spamster
- Ok, tente de novo.OK, try again.This sentence uses de novo in the context of giving someone another attempt.Tatoeba #2093730 by MarlonX19, translation #2093433 by gleki
- Vamos tentar de novo.Let's try again.
- O palestrante repetiu a mensagem mais uma vez.The speaker repeated the message once again.
- Vou contar a piada outra vez.I'll tell the joke again.
- Eles se encontraram de novo.They met again.
- Ler o livro de novoTo read the book again
- Mais uma vez, obrigado!Once again, thank you!
- 1277 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Rodrigo are at a cafe and realized they left their keys inside.
- BeatrizEu esqueci minhas chaves de novo.I forgot my keys again.
- RodrigoVocê esqueceu de novo, Beatriz?You forgot them again, Beatriz?
- BeatrizSim, que frustrante.Yes, how frustrating.
- RodrigoNão se preocupe, eu ajudo você.Don't worry, I will help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “again” translations and entries de novo, outra vez, novamente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (outra, vez) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
