Portuguese Phrase
O que eu tenho que procurar?
Meaning
This phrase is a common way to ask for clarification or instructions on what specific item, information, or person one is expected to find. It implies a task or a search that needs to be performed, and the speaker is seeking guidance on the object of that search. It's a direct and practical question.
When to use
Use this phrase when you've been given a task to find something but haven't been told what exactly to look for. It's perfect for situations where you need more specific instructions, such as in a scavenger hunt, when searching for a document, or trying to locate a specific item in a store.
✦Grammar Breakdown
O queeutenho queprocurar
O que
'O que' means 'what' and is used to ask for information about something. It's a very common interrogative pronoun in Portuguese.
Eu
'Eu' means 'I'. While often omitted in Portuguese due to verb conjugations, including it here emphasizes the subject of the question.
Ter que
'Ter que' is a common construction in Portuguese, especially Brazilian Portuguese, meaning 'to have to' or 'must'. It expresses obligation or necessity, similar to 'dever' but often more informal and frequent.
Procurar
'Procurar' is a verb meaning 'to look for', 'to search', or 'to seek'. It's used here in its infinitive form, following 'ter que'.
🗨In Conversation
Preciso que você me ajude a organizar a sala.
I need you to help me organize the room.
Certo! O que eu tenho que procurar?
Okay! What do I have to look for?
✕Common Mistakes
O que eu devo procurar?
While 'devo' (should) is grammatically correct, 'ter que' (have to) is more commonly used in Brazilian Portuguese to express necessity or obligation, making the phrase sound more natural and idiomatic.
O que eu tenho procurar?
The preposition 'que' is essential after 'ter' when followed by an infinitive verb to express 'to have to do something'. Without it, the phrase is grammatically incomplete.
↔Alternatives
O que devo procurar?
What should I look for?
O que preciso encontrar?
What do I need to find?
O que é para eu procurar?
What am I supposed to look for?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, 'ter que' is widely used to express obligation or necessity, often more so than 'dever'. This phrase is very common in everyday conversation and is considered polite and direct. The use of 'eu' (I) is optional in many contexts due to verb conjugation, but including it here adds a slight emphasis on the speaker's role in the action.