Talk About Running Pace in Brazilian Portuguese: Slow, Steady, or Fast — Practice

Describe how fast you are running

Ritmo is pace and correr devagar means to run slowly. You can describe an easy run as um ritmo tranquilo (a relaxed pace) or say que quero aumentar o ritmo (I want to increase the pace). Choose the phrase that accurately describes your effort.

When running with someone, ask whether the pace works for them rather than assuming both people want the same workout.

Ask to slow down, speed up, or wait

A partner may be training for a different goal. Use pode diminuir um pouco? to ask them to slow down, and quer acelerar? to ask whether they want to speed up. Be clear if you are asking to change the pace temporarily or for the rest of the route.

If you need to stop, tell the group where you will wait and whether you plan to continue.

Talk about the run afterward

A corrida was the run or race; treino is a workout or training session. Afterward, compare how the route felt, how long you ran, or what you want to practice next. You can mention your experience without turning the conversation into a competition.

Numbers help make your answer specific: corri por trinta minutos means I ran for thirty minutes.

Remember: Name the pace you want, communicate before changing it, and make your request clear when you need a break.

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. Today I want to run at a relaxed pace.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Hoje quero correr em um ritmo tranquilo.

2. Is this pace okay for you?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Esse ritmo está bom para você?

3. Can we slow down a little? I want to keep this pace for longer.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Pode diminuir um pouco? Quero manter esse ritmo por mais tempo.

4. I am going to walk for a minute and then continue.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Vou caminhar um minuto e depois continuo.

5. I ran for thirty minutes without stopping.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Corri por trinta minutos sem parar.

6. Next time, I want to train on hills.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Na próxima vez, quero treinar subida.

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.

Name the pace you want, communicate before changing it, and make your request clear when you need a break.

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 Talk About Running Pace in Brazilian Portuguese: Slow, Steady, or Fast 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.