Portuguese Phrase
Devo ligar pra eles ou mandar um e-mail?
Meaning
This phrase is used to ask for advice on the best way to contact a group of people. It weighs the urgency of a phone call against the formality or convenience of an email.
When to use
Use this in professional or social settings when you are unsure of the communication etiquette. It is common when following up on a project or checking in with friends.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Devoligarpraelesoumandarume-mail
Devo
The first-person singular form of 'dever' (to owe/must), used here to express 'should' in a question.
Pra
A very common spoken contraction of 'para'. Using 'para' sounds more formal, while 'pra' is standard for daily conversation.
Mandar
The most common verb for 'to send' in Brazil, used for emails, messages, and physical packages.
🗨In Conversation
Ainda não recebi o feedback do cliente.
I haven't received the feedback from the client yet.
Devo ligar pra eles ou mandar um e-mail?
Should I call them or send an email?
✕Common Mistakes
Devo ligar eles ou mandar um e-mail?
In Portuguese, the verb 'ligar' (to call) requires the preposition 'para' (often shortened to 'pra') before the object.
Devo ligar pra eles ou enviar um e-mail?
While 'enviar' is grammatically correct, 'mandar' is the much more natural and common choice in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
↔Alternatives
Ligo ou mando e-mail?
Should I call or send an email?
O que é melhor: ligar ou mandar um e-mail?
What is better: calling or sending an email?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, WhatsApp is often the primary mode of communication for both personal and business matters. If you are unsure, you might also ask 'Mando um Zap?' (Should I send a WhatsApp message?), as it is often preferred over email.