Tem que vs. Precisa: How to Say “Have To” and “Need To” in Portuguese — Practice

Use tem que for a clear obligation or requirement

Ter que + infinitive is a common way to say that someone has to do something. In Brazilian Portuguese, the form changes with the subject: eu tenho que sair, você tem que esperar, nós temos que estudar, and vocês têm que confirmar. In casual conversation, a gente tem que uses tem because a gente is grammatically singular.

This pattern works for schedules, rules, and necessary actions. The English translation may be “have to” or “must,” depending on how strong the requirement feels in context. Learn it as a complete phrase with the subject and infinitive.

Use precisar de or precisar + infinitive for a need

Precisar means to need. Before a noun, use precisar de: preciso de ajuda (I need help). Before an action, use precisar + infinitive: preciso falar com você (I need to talk with you). In everyday Brazilian usage, both patterns are common and useful.

Conjugate precisar for the subject: eu preciso, você precisa, a gente precisa, nós precisamos, and vocês precisam. Notice the difference between ter and precisar; choose the pattern that expresses whether you are stating an obligation or describing a need.

Compare the patterns and make them negative

Compare Tenho que trabalhar amanhã (I have to work tomorrow) with Preciso trabalhar amanhã (I need to work tomorrow). They may describe the same situation, but ter que often highlights an obligation or requirement while precisar focuses on necessity. Context and tone influence the difference.

To make either pattern negative, place não before the conjugated verb: não tenho que ir (I don’t have to go) or não preciso ir (I don’t need to go). These usually express absence of obligation, though the exact meaning depends on what follows and the situation.

Use the patterns to describe your real routine

Write three things you need to do this week and three things you are required to do. Use precisar for needs and ter que for clear commitments, then check whether both could fit a particular situation. This helps you learn the distinction without treating it as an absolute rule.

Connect this lesson with Real Life Portuguese guides to polite requests, appointments, and daily routines. I Speak Portuguese teachers can ask follow-up questions so you can explain what you need to do and why. Listen to the verb ending and the infinitive as one phrase.

Remember: Use ter que + infinitive for an obligation and precisar de + noun or precisar + infinitive for a need. Both patterns can overlap in context.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. I have to leave at seven.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Tenho que sair às sete.

2. You have to show your ticket at the entrance.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você tem que mostrar o ingresso na entrada.

3. We have to confirm the reservation.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A gente tem que confirmar a reserva.

4. I need some information.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Preciso de uma informação.

5. She needs to speak with the manager.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ela precisa falar com o gerente.

6. We need more time.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Precisamos de mais tempo.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Use ter que + infinitive for an obligation and precisar de + noun or precisar + infinitive for a need. Both patterns can overlap in context.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Tem que vs. Precisa: How to Say “Have To” and “Need To” in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.