Portuguese Phrase
A gente precisa de mais água, por favor.
Meaning
Literally, “We need more water, please.” The sentence is a polite request for additional water, using the informal collective pronoun “a gente.” It can be used in casual or semi‑formal contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re at a restaurant, a friend’s house, or any gathering where you need a refill of water. It’s friendly enough for informal settings but still courteous because of “por favor.”
✦Grammar Breakdown
Agenteprecisademaiságuaporfavor
A gente
Colloquial way to say “we”; it takes third‑person singular verb forms.
precisa de
Verb “precisar” (to need) is followed by the preposition de before a noun.
mais
Comparative adverb meaning “more”; placed before the noun it modifies.
água
Feminine noun meaning “water”; remember the accent on the “ú”.
por favor
Polite phrase meaning “please”; usually placed at the end of the request.
🗨In Conversation
A gente precisa de mais água, por favor.
We need more water, please.
Claro, já trago mais um copo.
Sure, I’ll bring another glass right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Nós precisa de mais água, por favor.
Verb must agree with the subject; use “precisamos” with “nós.”
A gente precisa mais água, por favor.
The verb “precisar” requires the preposition de before the noun.
Por favor, a gente precisa de mais água.
“Por favor” normally goes at the end of the request, not at the beginning.
↔Alternatives
Precisamos de mais água, por favor.
We need more water, please.
Pode trazer mais água, por favor?
Could you bring more water, please?
Traga mais água, por favor.
Bring more water, please.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, “a gente” is the everyday way to say “we,” even in professional settings. It always takes a third‑person singular verb, so you say “a gente precisa” not “a gente precisamos.” Adding “por favor” makes the request polite; omitting it can sound demanding. Also, when ordering at a restaurant you can simply say “mais água, por favor” and the staff will understand.