Portuguese Phrase
Com certeza! Preciso de uma pausa.
Meaning
‘Certainly! I need a break.’ The speaker first gives a strong affirmation and then states a personal need for a short rest or interruption of activity.
When to use
Use this phrase after you have agreed to something or confirmed a statement and you want to signal that you now need a short rest—e.g., during a study session, a work meeting, or a long conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Comcerteza!Precisodeumapausa.
Com certeza
An idiomatic expression meaning ‘certainly’ or ‘definitely’, used to strongly affirm something.
Preciso (verb)
First‑person singular of the verb precisar, which means ‘to need’ or ‘to have to’. It is followed by the preposition de.
de + noun
The preposition de links the verb precisar to the thing that is needed; the noun normally takes its article (uma pausa).
Article agreement
The indefinite article uma must agree in gender and number with the noun pausa (feminine singular).
🗨In Conversation
Vamos continuar a prática de conversação?
Shall we continue the conversation practice?
Com certeza! Preciso de uma pausa.
Certainly! I need a break.
✕Common Mistakes
Preciso de pausa.
The noun ‘pausa’ needs the indefinite article ‘uma’ after ‘de’.
Com certeza, preciso de pausa.
Missing the article ‘uma’; also the comma can make the sentence feel less emphatic.
Com certeza! Preciso de um pausa.
‘Pausa’ is feminine, so the article must be ‘uma’, not ‘um’.
↔Alternatives
Claro! Preciso descansar.
Sure! I need to rest.
Com certeza! Preciso de um intervalo.
Definitely! I need a short interval.
Sim, mas preciso de uma pausa.
Yes, but I need a break.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil and Portugal, taking a short ‘pausa’ is common in work and study environments—think of the coffee break (café) or a quick walk. Saying ‘preciso de uma pausa’ signals you respect the flow of the activity but also value personal well‑being. It’s polite to ask before interrupting a group, and native speakers often follow up with ‘Tudo bem, vamos retomar em…’ (All right, we’ll resume in…).