Breakdown of Eu tenho de ter cuidado com o computador.
eu
I
com
with
o computador
the computer
ter de
to have to
ter cuidado
to be careful
Questions & Answers about Eu tenho de ter cuidado com o computador.
What does tenho de mean in this sentence?
Tenho de translates to have to or must in English. It expresses obligation or necessity. Thus, Eu tenho de ter cuidado com o computador means I have to be careful with the computer.
Why is the preposition de used after tenho?
In European Portuguese, the construction ter de + infinitive is standard for expressing obligation. The de acts as a linking word between the conjugated verb ter (here, tenho) and the following infinitive (ter cuidado). It is similar to saying I have to in English, but the preposition is an integral part of the expression.
How does ter cuidado function in this sentence?
Although ter cuidado literally means to have care, it is an idiomatic expression that means to be careful or to take care. In context, it suggests taking necessary precautions with the computer.
Why is the preposition com used after cuidado?
The preposition com means with in English. In the phrase ter cuidado com, it indicates what you should be careful with—in this case, o computador (the computer). This construction directly parallels the English expression be careful with the computer.
Are there alternative ways to express this obligation in Portuguese?
Yes, you can also express the obligation using other constructions such as preciso ter cuidado com o computador (I need to be careful with the computer) or devo ter cuidado com o computador (I ought to be careful with the computer). While all these phrases convey necessity, tenho de is particularly common in European Portuguese for indicating an obligation.
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