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Eu começo a teclar no computador quando tenho de escrever um relatório.

Eu começo a teclar no computador quando tenho de escrever um relatório.
I start typing on the computer when I have to write a report.
FromLesson 8inHardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of Eu começo a teclar no computador quando tenho de escrever um relatório.

eu
I
um
a
em
in
escrever
to write
quando
when
começar
to start
o computador
the computer
ter de
to have to
o relatório
the report

Questions & Answers about Eu começo a teclar no computador quando tenho de escrever um relatório.

What does teclar mean in this sentence?
Teclar means to type or, more literally, to press keys. It specifically refers to the act of interacting with a computer’s keyboard, similar to saying “start typing” in English.
Why is the structure começo a teclar used instead of simply saying começo teclar?
In Portuguese, when you want to indicate the beginning of an action, you must use the preposition a before the infinitive. So começo a teclar correctly corresponds to “I start to type” in English.
How is the phrase tenho de escrever um relatório translated, and what does tenho de imply?
The phrase translates to “I have to write a report.” The structure tenho de expresses obligation or necessity—similar to saying “have to” or “must” in English. It indicates that writing the report is a required action.
Why is no computador used instead of just em computador?
In Portuguese, the preposition em (meaning “in” or “on”) combines with the definite article o (meaning “the”) to form the contraction no. Thus, no computador means “on the computer.”
Are there any alternative verbs to teclar, and if so, when might they be used?
Yes, digitar is another common verb used to mean “to type.” While teclar emphasizes the action of pressing keys (and is quite informal), digitar is widely used and may be seen as slightly more formal or general in reference to typing on electronic devices.
What tense is used in this sentence and what does it indicate about the actions?
The sentence is written in the present tense. Começo (from começar) and tenho (from ter) are both in the first person singular present, indicating habitual or immediate actions. This tells us that the speaker routinely begins typing on the computer when they need to write a report.
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