Portuguese Phrase
Preciso de um caderno novo.
Meaning
The speaker is stating a personal need for a new notebook, typically for school, work, or personal projects. The construction preciso de is the standard way to express needing a concrete object in Portuguese.
When to use
Use this sentence when you are at a store, in a classroom, or talking to a friend about buying a fresh notebook. It is polite and direct, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Precisodeumcadernonovo
Preciso (verb)
First‑person singular present indicative of precisar (to need).
de (preposition)
Used after precisar to introduce the object that is needed.
um (indefinite article)
Masculine singular article that matches the noun caderno.
caderno (noun)
Masculine noun meaning “notebook” or “exercise book”.
novo (adjective)
Adjective must agree in gender and number with caderno (masc. sing.).
🗨In Conversation
Preciso de um caderno novo.
I need a new notebook.
Claro, vamos à papelaria comprar um.
Sure, let's go to the stationery shop to buy one.
✕Common Mistakes
Preciso um caderno novo.
The verb precisar requires the preposition de before the object.
Preciso de um caderno novos.
Adjectives must agree with the noun; caderno is singular, so use novo.
Preciso de um caderno nova.
The adjective must match the gender of caderno (masculine), so use novo.
↔Alternatives
Preciso comprar um caderno novo.
I need to buy a new notebook.
Quero um caderno novo.
I want a new notebook.
Estou precisando de um caderno novo.
I'm needing a new notebook.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, caderno usually refers to the ruled notebooks used in school. Adding por favor makes the request even more courteous: Preciso de um caderno novo, por favor. In Portugal the same word is used, but you may also hear caderno de notas. Remember that precisar always takes the preposition de when followed by a noun.