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How to Say ‘Do we need to leave a deposit?’ in Portuguese

É preciso deixar algum sinal?

eh preh-SEE-zoo day-SHAR ahl-GOON see-NAHL

[eh preh-SEE-zoo day-SHAR ahl-GOON see-NAHL]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Portuguese restaurants often ask for a deposit to hold a private room or a large group table, so asking about it up front is normal and expected.

Phrase Breakdown

É preciso

eh preh-SEE-zoo

Is it necessary

This is an impersonal 'it's necessary'. The first 'e' in 'preciso' is almost silent: 'pr'SEE-zoo'.

Example

É preciso reservar?

Is it necessary to book?

Words in this phrase

[eh]

It is

Used to identify or describe a situation.

Example

É verdade.

It is true.

preciso

[preh-SEE-zoo]

necessary

With 'é', means 'it is necessary'.

Example

É preciso reservar.

It is necessary to book.

deixar algum sinal?

day-SHAR ahl-GOON see-NAHL

to leave a deposit?

'Algum' is nasal at the end ('al-GOONG'). Use rising intonation for the question.

Example

Posso deixar algum sinal hoje.

I can leave a deposit today.

Words in this phrase

deixar

[day-SHAR]

to leave

Here, to leave or give something, like a payment.

Example

Posso deixar o número?

Can I leave the number?

algum

[ahl-GOON]

any / some

Masculine form used in questions.

Example

Há algum problema?

Is there any problem?

sinal

[see-NAHL]

deposit

Money paid in advance to secure a booking.

Example

Pagámos o sinal ontem.

We paid the deposit yesterday.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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