Eu preciso de tempo para descansar.

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Breakdown of Eu preciso de tempo para descansar.

• precisar de: to need
• para: for
• descansar: to rest
• o tempo: the time

Questions & Answers about Eu preciso de tempo para descansar.

Why do we say preciso de tempo instead of just preciso tempo?

In Portuguese, the verb precisar is typically followed by de when it is expressing the idea of needing something. So you say eu preciso de tempo to convey “I need time.” If you drop de, it either sounds incomplete or changes the meaning.

Is descansar exactly the same as “to rest” in English?

Yes, descansar generally translates to “to rest.” It involves stopping an activity or taking a break to recharge. In casual conversation, it can overlap with “to relax,” but descansar focuses on recuperating energy or overcoming tiredness.

Can I add an article and say eu preciso de um tempo para descansar?

Yes. Adding um highlights “some time” or “a bit of time” specifically. It’s common to hear both eu preciso de tempo and eu preciso de um tempo, with the latter sounding slightly more specific or limited in quantity.

Could I say eu preciso descansar without using de tempo?

Yes, eu preciso descansar is a valid sentence that focuses only on the action “I need to rest.” However, you lose the nuance of needing time itself, because you're no longer emphasizing that you need tempo (time) in particular to do that resting.

Are there synonyms for descansar that I might come across?

Yes. You may hear relaxar (“to relax”) or dar uma pausa (“take a break”). However, descansar is the most direct equivalent of “to rest,” meaning to recover energy, whereas relaxar can also imply leisure activities that help you unwind.