Portuguese Phrase
Preciso de um ferro pra roupa.
Meaning
Literally, ‘I need an iron for the clothes.’ It is used when you need a clothes‑iron, either to borrow one, buy one, or ask someone to lend it.
When to use
Say this phrase when you’re getting ready to do laundry, when you notice a wrinkle and need to iron, or when you’re asking a friend or family member if you can use their iron.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Precisodeumferropraroupa
precisar + de
The verb precisar is always followed by the preposition de when it means ‘to need’. The construction is preciso de + noun.
indefinite article um
Use um for masculine singular nouns when you refer to an unspecified item.
pra (para)
Pra is the informal spoken contraction of para, meaning ‘for’ or ‘to’. It is common in everyday conversation.
roupa vs. roupas
Roupas (plural) is more common when talking about a load of laundry; roupa (singular) can refer to the whole set of clothes or a specific piece.
🗨In Conversation
Preciso de um ferro pra roupa.
I need an iron for the clothes.
Claro, pode usar o meu. Está na cozinha.
Sure, you can use mine. It’s in the kitchen.
✕Common Mistakes
Preciso um ferro pra roupa.
The verb precisar requires the preposition de before the noun.
Preciso de um ferro para roupa.
You need the article a or the contraction pra + article; ‘para roupa’ sounds incomplete.
Preciso de ferro de roupa.
‘Ferro de roupa’ would be interpreted as ‘iron of the clothes’, which is not the intended meaning.
↔Alternatives
Preciso de um ferro para a roupa.
I need an iron for the clothes.
Preciso de um ferro de passar.
I need an iron for ironing.
Preciso de um ferro de passar roupa.
I need a clothes‑iron.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the most common term for a clothes‑iron is ferro de passar or simply ferro. When you’re in a shared house or a dorm, it’s polite to ask ‘Posso usar o ferro?’ rather than just stating the need. The informal pra is perfectly natural in spoken Portuguese, but in formal writing you’d use para.