Breakdown of Preciso de buscar o meu irmão à escola, porque ele perdeu o autocarro.
eu
I
meu
my
ele
he
precisar de
to need
porque
because
a escola
the school
o autocarro
the bus
perder
to miss
o irmão
the brother
buscar
to pick up
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Questions & Answers about Preciso de buscar o meu irmão à escola, porque ele perdeu o autocarro.
What does the phrase "Preciso de buscar" mean, and how is it structured in this sentence?
It translates to "I need to pick up" (or "fetch") in English. The structure uses "preciso" (meaning "I need") followed by the preposition "de" and then the infinitive "buscar" (meaning "to pick up"). This construction is common in European Portuguese for expressing a personal need or obligation to do something.
Why is the preposition "de" used after "preciso" instead of directly attaching the infinitive verb?
In European Portuguese, verbs expressing necessity (like "precisar") are often paired with "de" before an infinitive. This combination, "preciso de buscar", is the standard way to say "I need to pick up". It serves a similar purpose to the structure "I need to..." in English.
Why is there a definite article "o" before "meu irmão" in the sentence?
In Portuguese, it is customary to include a definite article before possessive adjectives. So "o meu irmão" literally means "the my brother," but it is naturally translated as "my brother." The article emphasizes that you are referring to a specific, known person.
What is the role of the contraction "à" in "à escola"?
The contraction "à" combines the preposition "a" (meaning "to") with the feminine definite article "a" (meaning "the"). Therefore, "à escola" means "to the school." This contraction indicates the destination related to the action of picking someone up.
How is the word "autocarro" used in this sentence, and what does it mean?
"Autocarro" means "bus" in European Portuguese. In the sentence, "ele perdeu o autocarro" translates into "he missed the bus." (Note that in Brazilian Portuguese, "bus" is usually referred to as "ônibus.")
Why is the verb "perdeu" in the simple past tense, and what does this tell us about the action?
"Perdeu" is the simple past (pretérito perfeito) form of the verb "perder" (to lose or miss). Using this tense indicates that the action of missing the bus has already taken place. It shows that the event is complete in the past.
Are there alternative ways to express the necessity of picking someone up in Portuguese?
Yes, an alternative is to use "Tenho de buscar o meu irmão à escola, porque ele perdeu o autocarro." Here, "tenho de" also expresses a necessity or obligation, and it is equivalent in meaning to "preciso de." Both constructions are common, though "preciso de" is often preferred in certain contexts in European Portuguese.