Portuguese Phrase
Preciso de autorização pra isso?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether they need to obtain permission or an official authorization for a particular action or request. It can be translated as ‘Do I need authorization for this?’
When to use
Use this phrase in informal conversations when you’re unsure if a task, document, or activity requires official approval—e.g., at work, in a school setting, or when dealing with a bureaucratic process. It’s perfect for speaking with colleagues, friends, or even a supervisor in a relaxed tone.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Precisodeautorizaçãopraisso?
Preciso (verbo precisar)
‘Preciso’ is the first‑person singular present of ‘precisar’, meaning ‘I need’ or ‘do I need’ in a question.
de (preposição)
The verb ‘precisar’ is followed by the preposition ‘de’ when the object is a noun (e.g., ‘preciso de ajuda’).
autorização (substantivo)
A feminine noun meaning ‘authorization, permission’; it agrees with the preposition ‘de’.
pra (contração informal)
Colloquial contraction of ‘para’; used in spoken Brazilian Portuguese, especially in informal settings.
isso (pronome demonstrativo)
Demonstrative pronoun meaning ‘this/that’; refers to the situation or action just mentioned.
Interrogative intonation
Raising intonation at the end of the sentence signals a yes/no question.
🗨In Conversation
Preciso de autorização pra isso?
Do I need permission for this?
Sim, o gerente tem que assinar antes.
Yes, the manager has to sign first.
✕Common Mistakes
Preciso autorização pra isso?
The verb ‘precisar’ requires the preposition ‘de’ before a noun.
Preciso de autorização para isso?
In informal spoken Portuguese, ‘para’ is usually contracted to ‘pra’; using ‘para’ isn’t wrong, but it sounds more formal.
Preciso de autorização por isso?
‘Por’ changes the meaning to ‘because of this’; the correct preposition for purpose is ‘para’/‘pra’.
↔Alternatives
Preciso de permissão para isso?
Do I need permission for this?
É necessário ter autorização para isso?
Is it necessary to have authorization for this?
Preciso de autorização para isso?
Do I need authorization for this?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, ‘pra’ is widely used in everyday speech, but in formal writing or when speaking to authority figures you should replace it with ‘para’. Also, ‘autorização’ sounds more official than ‘permissão’, which is used for everyday permissions (e.g., asking a friend). When you need to be extra polite, you can preface the question with ‘Desculpe, mas…’ or ‘Com licença, preciso de…’.