Portuguese Phrase
O que precisamos para o jantar?
Meaning
The sentence asks about the items, ingredients, or actions required to prepare the evening meal. It’s a practical question used when planning a dinner together.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re at home, with roommates, family, or friends, and you need to decide what to buy or cook for dinner. It works both in casual conversation and in a more organized setting like a restaurant kitchen.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oqueprecisamosparaojantar?
O que (question word)
"O que" is used to ask "what"; it functions as a single interrogative phrase.
precisamos (verb precisar)
"precisamos" is the first‑person plural present of "precisar" (to need).
para (preposition)
"para" introduces purpose or goal, here meaning "for".
o jantar (noun phrase)
"jantar" means "dinner"; the article "o" makes it specific.
🗨In Conversation
O que precisamos para o jantar?
What do we need for dinner?
Precisamos de arroz, feijão, carne e uma salada.
We need rice, beans, meat, and a salad.
✕Common Mistakes
O que preciso para o jantar?
Use "precisamos" for "we need"; "preciso" is singular (I need).
O que precisamos para jantar?
Without the article the phrase sounds incomplete; you need "para o jantar" unless you mean "to dinner" as a purpose.
Que precisamos para o jantar?
The interrogative must start with "O que"; dropping the article changes the meaning.
↔Alternatives
Do que precisamos para o jantar?
What do we need for dinner?
O que vamos precisar para o jantar?
What are we going to need for dinner?
Quais itens são necessários para o jantar?
Which items are necessary for dinner?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, dinner (jantar) is often the main meal of the day and is usually served later than in many other countries, typically between 7 pm and 9 pm. Common dishes include rice and beans (arroz e feijão) with meat, but regional variations like moqueca, feijoada, or seafood are also popular. When asking this question, it’s polite to suggest a few ideas first, showing you’re willing to contribute.