Precisar is a key verb to learn in Portuguese, especially since it is used in two different contexts with two different grammatical formats. The key grammatical difference is the use of the preposition de, which can sometimes be a little confusing.
Precisar = to need
When used as the verb to need, precisar is followed by the preposition de and an object.
Examples:
Preciso de um copo. I need a cup.
Ela precisa de comida saudável. She needs healthy food.
Precisamos de um ventilador. We need a fan.
Precisar = to must/to have to
In this context, precisar means to have to, and the verb is followed by the infinitive of another verb.
Examples:
Eles precisam voltar para casa. They have to go home.
Preciso fazer uma ligação. I have to make a call.
Ele precisa estudar mais. He must study more.
Can you think of any other examples?
Comments:
kelley:
so how do you say “I must have a cup” or on the contrary “I need to go home”?
Ben:
“Preciso de um copo.” and “Preciso voltar a casa.”
Tint:
Very useful lesson. Thanks!
I have looked and don’t see a place to contact the writer of the blog, so my question/suggestion goes here.
Today’s word of the day was ‘cansada’. To me, that is the feminine form. The masculine/feminine is destined to kill me yet. Anyway, the example given was: “Cheguei muito cansada do trabalho.”
Why is ‘cansada’ in the female form if ‘trabalho’ is male? I know there are times when the word is female because of the speaker. How do we know when the word is female because of the speaker and when it is female because of the object?
marcelo:
‘cansada’is describing the tiredness of the speaker, which based on the context, is feminine. it not describing that work is tired