Eu quero pedir um presente para a festa.

I

Breakdown of Eu quero pedir um presente para a festa.

• querer: to want
• um: a
• para: for
• o presente: the gift
• a festa: the party
• pedir: to ask for

Questions & Answers about Eu quero pedir um presente para a festa.

Why is the pronoun 'Eu' used here? Can't we just say 'Quero pedir um presente para a festa'?

In Portuguese, subject pronouns like Eu (I) can be dropped because the verb quero is already conjugated for Eu. Including Eu can be a matter of emphasis or clarity. Both Eu quero pedir um presente and Quero pedir um presente are acceptable.

What is the difference between 'pedir um presente' and 'comprar um presente'?

When you say pedir um presente, it implies you're requesting someone else to get you a gift (for instance, asking a friend to bring a gift or asking someone else to purchase or provide one). If you say comprar um presente, you’re stating that you yourself will buy or purchase a gift.

Why do we use 'um' before 'presente'?

Um is the indefinite article in Portuguese (equivalent to "a" in English). It indicates that you're not referring to a specific present but rather any present. If you had a specific present in mind, you might say o presente, which is the definite article (like "the" in English).

Why do we say 'para a festa' instead of just 'para festa' or 'para à festa'?

In Portuguese, you combine para + the article a when referring to a feminine noun like festa. Para a festa literally translates to for the party. You wouldn’t say para festa, because you’d be missing the article a. Also, à would be used for contractions with the preposition a plus the article a, but para does not follow that contraction rule.

Could we say 'pra festa' instead of 'para a festa'?

Yes. Pra is a common colloquial contraction of para a. In everyday spoken Brazilian Portuguese, pra festa is frequently heard. However, in more formal contexts, you’ll see para a festa written out.