Eu quero pedir ajuda antes do jantar.

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Breakdown of Eu quero pedir ajuda antes do jantar.

• querer: to want
• antes de: before
• o jantar: the dinner
• a ajuda: the help
• pedir: to ask for

Questions & Answers about Eu quero pedir ajuda antes do jantar.

Why is it pedir ajuda and not something like pedir por ajuda?

In Portuguese, we use pedir ajuda (literally “to ask for help”) without the extra preposition por. The verb pedir is already used in the sense of making a request, so adding por isn’t necessary. You’ll also see other similar constructions like pedir comida (to ask for or order food) and pedir favor (to ask for a favor).

What’s the difference between saying antes do jantar and antes de jantar?

Antes do jantar means “before the dinner,” referring to the event of dinner in a general or specific sense (with the article o). Antes de jantar means “before eating dinner,” focusing on the action of dining rather than the event. Both are correct, but the original sentence uses antes do jantar to emphasize the time before the dinner happens.

Is there an alternative way to say Eu quero pedir ajuda that is still correct in Portuguese?

Yes, you could say Eu gostaria de pedir ajuda (I would like to ask for help) or Gostaria de pedir ajuda (I would like to ask for help). Using gostaria is a more polite or formal approach.

Can I omit quero and just say Pedir ajuda antes do jantar?

You can, but it changes the structure. Pedir ajuda antes do jantar by itself is more like a phrase or a note to oneself, rather than a complete personal statement. If you want to express a desire or wish, you’d normally include quero or gostaria.

What is the correct pronunciation of pedir and ajuda in Brazilian Portuguese?

• pedir sounds like “peh-DEER” where the d in the second syllable can sound a bit like the “j” in “jeans” in some Brazilian accents (pe-JEER).
• ajuda sounds like “ah-ZHOO-dah,” with the j/zh sound in the middle (similar to the “s” in “measure”).