Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): O senhor precisa de ajuda ou pode trabalhar sozinho? - Do you sir need help or can you work alone?

O senhor is a formal way to address someone in Portuguese, roughly equivalent to saying sir or Mr. in English. In Portugal, it’s used to show respect, particularly when speaking to older individuals or in formal contexts, whereas você is more informal.

Why is the preposition de necessary after precisa in precisa de ajuda?

In Portuguese, the verb precisar always requires the preposition de when it’s followed by a noun. So precisar de ajuda literally translates to “need help,” with de being an essential part of the construction. This fixed structure differs from English, where no preposition is used after “need.”

Why isn’t the subject O senhor repeated before pode trabalhar sozinho?

Portuguese often omits the repeated subject in coordinated clauses when it remains the same. Since O senhor is clearly established in the first part of the sentence, it isn’t necessary to mention it again before pode trabalhar sozinho. Both verbs, precisa and pode, refer to the same subject.

How does the structure of this question differ from how questions are formed in English?

In English, questions typically require an auxiliary verb (like do/does) or an inversion of the subject and verb (e.g., Do you need help?). In this Portuguese sentence, however, the subject-precedes the verb, and the question is indicated by tone or punctuation rather than inversion. Despite these differences, the intended meaning—offering two alternatives—is clear.

What does sozinho mean, and what nuance does it add to the sentence?

Sozinho means “alone” or “by oneself.” In this context, it emphasizes the ability to work independently without help. The contrast set up by precisa de ajuda ou pode trabalhar sozinho highlights that the person is either in need of assistance or capable of working on their own.