Agora, eu preciso de descansar, porque estou doente.

Now I need to rest, because I am sick.

Breakdown of Agora, eu preciso de descansar, porque estou doente.

• eu: I
• estar: to be
• doente: sick
• agora: now
• precisar de: to need
• descansar: to rest
• porque: because

Questions & Answers about Agora, eu preciso de descansar, porque estou doente.

Why is there a de before descansar in the sentence eu preciso de descansar?

In European Portuguese, the verb precisar is often followed by de before an infinitive (e.g., preciso de descansar). This usage is a grammatical convention in Portugal, whereas in Brazilian Portuguese, it's more common to omit de and simply say preciso descansar. Both forms can be understood, but preciso de descansar is standard in Portugal.

Can I also say eu preciso descansar instead of eu preciso de descansar in Portugal?

Yes, you might hear eu preciso descansar in casual speech sometimes, but it’s less common in Portugal. If you want to sound more natural in European Portuguese, it’s better to use preciso de descansar.

Why do we say estou doente instead of sou doente?

In Portuguese, ser typically describes permanent or long-lasting states, while estar is used for temporary conditions. Being sick is usually a temporary condition, so you say estou doente (“I am sick right now”) rather than sou doente, which could imply a permanent or chronic state.

Why is porque used here instead of other forms like por que or porquê?

The word porque (written as one word) is used in Portuguese to mean because and to introduce a reason. The form por que (two words) usually appears in questions (e.g., Por que estás doente? = “Why are you sick?”). The form porquê (with an accent) functions like a noun meaning the reason (e.g., Não sei o porquê = “I don’t know the reason”). In this sentence, porque is used to explain the reason for resting.

Do I need the word agora at the beginning of the sentence?

Including agora (“now”) adds emphasis to the current need or situation. Formally, you don’t have to use it; you could say Eu preciso de descansar, porque estou doente and still be correct. However, Agora signals that the speaker’s condition or decision is especially relevant to this moment.