Portuguese Phrase
Preciso sacar um pouco de dinheiro.
Meaning
I need to withdraw a small amount of cash. The speaker is indicating a practical, immediate need for money, usually to pay for something soon.
When to use
Use this sentence when you are at home, in a hotel, or talking with a friend and you realize you need cash for a purchase, a taxi, or any short‑term expense.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Precisosacarumpoucodedinheiro
Preciso + infinitive
The verb precisar (to need) is followed directly by an infinitive verb to express necessity (e.g., preciso estudar).
Sacar (to withdraw)
Sacar is the infinitive meaning ‘to withdraw (money) from an ATM or bank’.
Quantifier ‘um pouco de’
‘Um pouco de’ means ‘a little bit of’ and is used before uncountable nouns like dinheiro.
Article omission
In Portuguese you do not use a definite article before ‘dinheiro’ when it follows a quantifier.
🗨In Conversation
Preciso sacar um pouco de dinheiro.
I need to withdraw a little money.
Tem um caixa eletrônico aqui perto.
There’s an ATM nearby.
✕Common Mistakes
Preciso de sacar um pouco de dinheiro.
Do not insert ‘de’ after precisar; the verb already takes the infinitive directly.
Preciso sacar um pouco de dinheiros.
Avoid using the plural ‘dinheiros’; ‘dinheiro’ is uncountable.
Preciso sacar pouco dinheiro.
Do not replace with ‘pouco’ alone unless you want a different nuance (e.g., ‘Preciso sacar pouco dinheiro’ sounds unnatural).
↔Alternatives
Preciso retirar um pouco de dinheiro.
I need to take out a little money.
Preciso pegar um pouco de dinheiro.
I need to get a little money.
Preciso tirar um pouco de dinheiro.
I need to pull out a little money.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil most people use ‘caixa eletrônico’ (ATM) to sacar. Many banks charge a small fee for withdrawals outside the network, so locals often plan ahead and keep a modest amount of cash for small markets, bus fares, or tips. When speaking informally you might also hear ‘preciso de grana’ (I need cash), but ‘dinheiro’ is the neutral term for any amount.