Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Precisamos do dicionário para a aula.

Precisamos do dicionário para a aula.

We need the dictionary for the class.

Breakdown of Precisamos do dicionário para a aula.

Questions & Answers about Precisamos do dicionário para a aula.

Why does the sentence use do instead of just de?

The verb precisar (to need) always links to what you need using the preposition de. Because we need the dictionary (o dicionário), we must combine de + o to make do. In Portuguese, you literally say you have need 'of the' dictionary.

Where is the word for "we" in this sentence?

The pronoun nós (we) is left out here. In Portuguese, the verb ending usually tells you who is doing the action. The -amos ending on precisamos specifically means "we", making the word nós optional. Dropping it makes the sentence sound more natural.

Why are para and a written as two separate words, when de and o combine into do?

While the preposition de must merge with words for "the" (o, a, os, as), the preposition para (for) generally stays separate from them. So, "for the class" remains as two individual words: para a.

Does aula mean the physical classroom?