I am preparing for my upcoming trip to Brazil (yay!) and thought that my to-do list would provide good examples of how we use the verb Precisar in Portuguese. The lesson includes useful phrases and vocabulary to get your Portuguese smarter.
Precisar = To need
The verb Precisar is a regular verb.
The Verb Precisar Followed by a Verb
The verb precisar does not require preposition when it is followed by a verb. This verb will always be in the infinitive (base form).
Examples:
- Eu preciso tirar dinheiro para a viagem. (I need to withdraw cash for the trip.)

- Preciso comprar um biquini novo assim que chegar ao Brasil. (I need to buy a new bikini as soon as I get to Brazil.)
- A gente precisa comprar presentes para minha família. (We need to buy gifts for my family.)
Learn more: Using “A gente” – Make your Portuguese even smarter
The Verb Precisar Followed by a Noun
The verb precisar requires the proposition DE, or one of its contractions, when followed by a
noun.
Compare the examples below with the ones above:
- Eu preciso de dinheiro para a viagem. (I need cash for the trip.)
- Eu preciso de um biquini novo assim que chegar ao Brasil. (I need a new bikini as soon as I get to Brazil.)
- A gente precisa de presentes para minha família. (We need gifts for my family.)
Let’s see a few examples using the contractions of the preposition DE:
- Mariana precisa deste livro. (Mariana needs this book.)
- Você precisa daquelas revistas? (Do you need those magazines?)
- Preciso do seu número de telefone. (I need your phone number.)
- Cadê o dicionário? Estou precisando dele. (Where is the dictionary? I need it.)
Pronto. Agora você precisa praticar seu português 🙂
Please note: In Portugal the preposition “de” is always used, even when the verb Precisar is followed by a verb.
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Could you give me definition present participle vindo and past participle vindo, could you please explain the difference of the examples in English.
Thank you very much.
Marcel Leonard