Portuguese Phrase
Precisa de autorização prévia?
Meaning
The sentence asks whether a prior authorization or permission is required before proceeding with an action. It is commonly used in bureaucratic, medical, travel, or legal contexts where a formal approval must be obtained in advance.
When to use
Use this question when you need to confirm if a document, clearance, or consent must be secured before you can continue – for example, at a clinic before a procedure, at an airport before boarding a special flight, or when filing paperwork that requires official approval.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Precisadeautorizaçãoprévia?
Precisa (verb)
Third‑person singular present of *precisar* ‘to need’; in questions the verb stays in normal order, the interrogative tone is given by intonation or the question mark.
de (preposition)
Introduces the object of need; here it links *precisar* with the noun *autorização*.
autorização (noun)
Feminine noun meaning ‘authorization, permission’; it requires the article or preposition *de* when it follows *precisar*.
prévia (post‑positive adjective)
Adjective meaning ‘prior, beforehand’; when it modifies a feminine noun it appears after the noun (autorização prévia).
Question mark
Portuguese does not require subject‑verb inversion for yes/no questions; the question mark and rising intonation signal the interrogative.
🗨In Conversation
Precisa de autorização prévia?
Do you need prior authorization?
Sim, precisamos da liberação do médico.
Yes, we need the doctor's clearance.
✕Common Mistakes
Precisa de autorização prévio?
The adjective must agree in gender with *autorização* (feminine), so use *prévia*.
Precisa de autorização antes?
Using *antes* alone is an adverb, not a noun; the correct phrase is *autorização prévia* or *autorização antecipada*.
Precisa de um autorização?
The article *um* is masculine; *autorização* is feminine, so it should be *uma autorização*.
↔Alternatives
É necessário obter autorização antes?
Is it necessary to obtain authorization beforehand?
Precisa de permissão antecipada?
Do you need an early permission?
É preciso autorização prévia?
Is prior authorization required?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, *autorização prévia* is a formal expression often heard in health‑care (e.g., insurance approvals), travel (e.g., customs permits), and legal paperwork. When speaking with officials, keep a polite tone and consider adding *por favor* or *gentileza* for extra courtesy. In informal conversation you might hear the shorter *precisa de permissão?* but the full phrase sounds more professional.