Portuguese Phrase
Você precisa desta camisa velha?
Meaning
A polite question asking whether the listener needs the particular shirt that is being pointed at, which is described as ‘old’. The adjective ‘velha’ can carry a slightly negative tone, implying the shirt is worn out or out‑of‑fashion.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re offering or checking if someone wants a specific piece of clothing, especially in a second‑hand shop, at home while sorting laundry, or when a friend is deciding what to keep or donate.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vocêprecisadestacamisavelha?
Você
Second‑person singular pronoun, informal in Brazil but universally understood.
precisa
Verb ‘precisar’ (to need) conjugated in present indicative, third person singular. No preposition follows because the object is introduced by ‘de’ + demonstrative.
desta
Contraction of ‘de + esta’. It means ‘this (feminine)’. Required after ‘precisar’ when the noun is specified.
camisa
Feminine noun meaning ‘shirt’. The article is already included in ‘desta’.
velha
Adjective meaning ‘old’. Placed after the noun, as is standard in Portuguese.
🗨In Conversation
Você precisa desta camisa velha?
Do you need this old shirt?
Não, eu já tenho outra. Mas pode doar para a caridade.
No, I already have another one. But you can donate it to charity.
✕Common Mistakes
Você precisa essa camisa velha?
After ‘precisar’ you need the preposition ‘de’; use ‘desta’ (de + esta) instead of just ‘essa’.
Você precisa de esta camisa velha?
The correct contraction is ‘desta’, not ‘de esta’. The preposition and demonstrative must be merged.
Você precisa desta camisa velho?
‘Camisa’ is feminine, so the adjective must agree: ‘velha’, not ‘velho’.
↔Alternatives
Você quer esta camisa velha?
Do you want this old shirt?
Precisa desta camisa antiga?
Do you need this vintage shirt?
Esta camisa velha serve para você?
Does this old shirt fit you?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, ‘você’ is the default way to address someone informally; using ‘o senhor/a senhora’ would sound overly formal. The adjective ‘velha’ can be perceived as slightly rude when referring to a person’s clothing, so if you want to be extra courteous you might say ‘camisa usada’ (worn shirt) or ‘camisa antiga’ (old‑style shirt). Also, after ‘precisar’ you must use the preposition ‘de’ (or its contraction ‘desta/daquele’) – saying ‘precisa essa camisa’ is grammatically incorrect.