Missed a University Class in Brazil? Explain and Ask How to Catch Up — Practice

Explain briefly that you were absent

Faltar à aula means to miss class. If you are writing to a professor, keep the explanation brief and ask for the information you need. You do not have to share private medical or personal details with classmates.

An absence does not automatically count as excused. Attendance rules and documentation requirements vary by course and institution, so check official instructions if they affect your standing.

Ask what material or task you missed

Ask a classmate which topic was covered and whether the professor gave instructions for the next assignment. Check the class platform or group channel first in case the materials are already available. If you borrow notes, ask permission before sharing them elsewhere.

Use o que foi passado? to ask what was covered or assigned. To ask for a reference, say você pode me indicar onde encontro…? (can you point me to where I can find…?).

Confirm your next step

If you still have a question after checking the materials, write to the professor with the course name and exact point that is unclear. Ask whether there is a recommended reading, activity, or time to discuss it.

If you need to provide documentation or request an accommodation, use the official channel and follow its current process.

Remember: Explain the absence briefly, check posted materials, and ask a specific question about what to do next.

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. I could not make it to yesterday's class.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Não consegui ir à aula de ontem.

2. I missed class and am trying to catch up.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Faltei à aula e estou tentando me atualizar.

3. Do you know what material was covered yesterday?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você sabe qual conteúdo foi passado ontem?

4. Was any activity assigned for the next class?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Foi marcada alguma atividade para a próxima aula?

5. Which material should I review to follow the next class?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Qual material devo consultar para acompanhar a próxima aula?

6. Does the activity still have the same deadline?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A atividade continua com o mesmo prazo?

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.

Explain the absence briefly, check posted materials, and ask a specific question about what to do next.

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 Missed a University Class in Brazil? Explain and Ask How to Catch Up 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.