The verb precisar
In Portuguese, the verb precisar (to need) is a regular -ar verb. Just like the verb gostar, it is almost always followed by the preposition de.
| Pronoun | Precisar (Present) |
|---|---|
| Eu | preciso |
| Tu | precisas |
| Ele / Ela / Você | precisa |
| Nós | precisamos |
| Eles / Elas / Vocês | precisam |
Needing specific things
When you need a specific thing, the noun is usually preceded by a definite article (o, a, os, as). Remember that the preposition de merges with these articles to form mandatory contractions:
- de
- o = do
- de
- a = da
- de
- os = dos
- de
- as = das
In European Portuguese, possessive words (like "your") also take definite articles, so they will trigger these same contractions.
| I need your (sg) help. | Eu preciso da tua ajuda. |
| Do you (formal, m) need the dictionary? | O senhor precisa do dicionário? |
To make the sentence negative, place não immediately before the verb.
| They (m) do not need the tickets. | Eles não precisam dos bilhetes. |
Needing to do an action
To say that you need to do something, use precisar de followed by an infinitive verb (like descansar or dormir).
| We need to rest now. | Precisamos de descansar agora. |
| I need to sleep, I am tired. | Preciso de dormir, estou cansado. |
Needing general items
If you are talking about needing something general, uncountable, or using words like mais (more), you use the base preposition de without an article.
| He needs more time. | Ele precisa de mais tempo. |
| We need more information. | Precisamos de mais informação. |