Eu preciso pegar a chave.

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Breakdown of Eu preciso pegar a chave.

• precisar de: to need
• pegar: to get
• chave: key

Questions & Answers about Eu preciso pegar a chave.

Why does the sentence use "pegar" instead of other verbs like "buscar" or "obter"?

Pegar typically means to pick up, to grab, or to take hold of something physically. In everyday Brazilian Portuguese, it’s a very common and straightforward way to say you need to get or retrieve an item (in this case, the key). While buscar could also be used, it can imply going somewhere specifically to get the item, and obter is more formal, translating closer to obtain in English.

Do I need "de" after "preciso"? For example, "Eu preciso de pegar a chave"?

No, it’s correct without de. When you use precisar + an infinitive verb, you normally do not add de between them. So Eu preciso pegar a chave is the natural form. You would use preciso de if you have a noun afterward instead of a verb (for example, Eu preciso de ajuda – I need help).

Can I omit "Eu" and just say "Preciso pegar a chave"?

Yes. In Portuguese, subject pronouns can often be dropped because the verb ending usually indicates who is performing the action. Preciso pegar a chave is perfectly acceptable in spoken and written Brazilian Portuguese. Including Eu just makes it more explicit.

What's the function of the article "a" before "chave"?

In Portuguese, nouns are almost always accompanied by an article. Chave is a feminine noun, so it pairs with the feminine article a. In English, you might say the key or just key, but in Portuguese, you generally need the article.

Are there any alternative ways to say "Eu preciso pegar a chave"?

Yes. You could say Eu tenho que pegar a chave (I have to get the key) or Eu preciso buscar a chave if you want to convey that you need to go somewhere to get it. However, Eu preciso pegar a chave sounds completely natural in most situations and is very commonly used.