Portuguese Phrase
O que eu deveria evitar?
Meaning
The sentence asks for advice about things that the speaker ought to stay away from. It can refer to habits, foods, places, or behaviors that might be harmful or inappropriate.
When to use
Use this question when you need recommendations or warnings—e.g., before traveling to a new country, starting a diet, or learning local customs. It sounds polite and slightly formal, making it suitable for conversations with teachers, locals, or service staff.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oqueeudeveriaevitar?
O que
"O que" is a fixed interrogative phrase meaning "what"; the article "o" does not refer to a specific noun here.
eu
Subject pronoun "eu" (I) is optional in Portuguese, but it adds emphasis or clarity in questions.
deveria
Conditional form of the verb "dever"; expresses polite advice or suggestion, similar to "should" in English.
evitar
Infinitive verb meaning "to avoid"; placed after the modal verb without "a".
Question mark
In Portuguese, the opening "?" (¿) is not used; only the closing question mark is required.
🗨In Conversation
O que eu deveria evitar ao visitar o Rio de Janeiro?
What should I avoid when visiting Rio de Janeiro?
Evite andar sozinho à noite nas áreas menos movimentadas e não deixe objetos de valor à vista no carro.
Avoid walking alone at night in less busy areas and don’t leave valuables in plain sight in the car.
✕Common Mistakes
O que eu não deveria evitar?
Adding "não" creates a double negative that flips the meaning to "What should I not avoid?" which is rarely intended.
O que eu devo evitar?
"Devo" is present indicative and sounds more like a command; it loses the polite, advisory tone of "deveria".
O que eu deveria evitar de?
The verb "evitar" does not take the preposition "de"; the object follows directly.
↔Alternatives
O que eu não devo fazer?
What must I not do?
Quais coisas devo evitar?
Which things should I avoid?
O que devo evitar?
What should I avoid?
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, using the conditional "deveria" makes a request sound courteous and less imposing. Native speakers often prefer the shorter "O que devo evitar?" in casual speech, but the conditional adds a polite nuance that is appreciated in formal or advisory contexts. Also, remember that "evitar" is frequently paired with nouns (e.g., "evitar álcool") rather than gerunds.