Which one should you use?
While o que você disse? is the standard phrase, you may hear several variations depending on the situation. In very casual settings, you can simply say como? (how?) as a shorthand for "how was that?" For a short and common way to say "What?", use O quê? If you want to be more descriptive and informal, you can use Desculpa, não entendi. Pode falar de novo?, which means "Sorry, I didn't understand. Can you say it again?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The standard o que você disse? is considered informal or semi-formal in most of Brazil because it uses você. For formal situations, such as when speaking to an older person or someone in a position of authority, use o que o senhor disse? for a man or o que a senhora disse? for a woman. A more polite, formal way to request repetition is Desculpe, não entendi. Poderia repetir, por favor?, which means "Sorry, I didn't understand. Could you repeat, please?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the past tense of the verb dizer (to say), which is disse.
Did you know?
- The word você originates from vossa mercee, which literally translates to 'your mercy'.
- In many parts of Brazil, instead of using the full o que você disse?, people might simply use a rising intonation with Oi? to ask someone to repeat themselves.
- The formal versions o senhor and a senhora literally mean 'the lord' and 'the lady'.
Examples in context
- Desculpe, o que você disse?Sorry, what did you say?
- Não ouvi, o que você disse?I didn't hear, what did you say?
Example conversation
In a loud cafe, Lucas and Beatriz are talking.
- LucasBeatriz, o que você disse?Beatriz, what did you say?
- BeatrizEu disse que o café está frio.I said that the coffee is cold.
- LucasAh, agora eu entendi.Ah, now I understand.
- BeatrizTudo bem, Lucas.It's okay, Lucas.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries o, que, você, CC BY-SA 4.0.
