Preciso podar o galho.

I need to prune the branch.

Breakdown of Preciso podar o galho.

• precisar: to need
• o galho: the branch
• podar: to prune

Questions & Answers about Preciso podar o galho.

Why is there no eu in Preciso podar o galho?

In Brazilian Portuguese, subject pronouns are often omitted when the verb form already makes the subject clear.

• Preciso = I need
• The -o ending shows it is eu

So both of these are correct:

• Preciso podar o galho.
• Eu preciso podar o galho.

Adding eu gives extra emphasis or clarity, but it is not necessary.

What form of the verb is preciso here?

Preciso is the 1st person singular present indicative form of precisar.

• precisar = to need
• preciso = I need

So the sentence is in the present tense: I need to prune the branch.

Why is podar in the infinitive?

After precisar, Portuguese commonly uses another verb in the infinitive to express need to do something.

Pattern:

• precisar + infinitive

Examples:

• Preciso estudar. = I need to study.
• Preciso sair. = I need to leave.
• Preciso podar o galho. = I need to prune the branch.

So podar stays in the infinitive because it follows preciso.

Why is there no after ?