Portuguese Phrase
Preciso saber sobre a lavanderia.
Meaning
The speaker is stating that they need information about the laundry – its location, opening hours, how it works, or what services are offered. It is a neutral, polite way to ask for details.
When to use
Use this sentence when you are in a hotel, apartment building, dormitory, or any place that offers a communal laundry service and you need practical information about it.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Precisosabersobrealavanderia.
Preciso (verbo precisar)
‘Preciso’ is the first‑person singular present indicative of ‘precisar’ (to need). It functions as a main verb, not an adjective here.
Infinitive after ‘precisar’
When ‘precisar’ means ‘to need’, it is followed directly by an infinitive (e.g., ‘preciso saber’). No preposition is used.
Preposição ‘sobre’
‘Sobre’ means ‘about/over’. It introduces the topic of the information you need.
Artigo definido ‘a’
The noun ‘lavanderia’ is preceded by the feminine singular definite article ‘a’.
Lavanderia (substantivo)
‘Lavanderia’ can refer to a place where clothes are washed (laundry room) or a laundry service.
🗨In Conversation
Preciso saber sobre a lavanderia.
I need to know about the laundry.
Claro! Ela fica no andar térreo e funciona das 8h às 20h.
Sure! It’s on the ground floor and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
✕Common Mistakes
Preciso de saber sobre a lavanderia.
‘Preciso’ already expresses the need; do not add the preposition ‘de’ before the infinitive.
Preciso saber sobre o lavanderia.
‘Lavanderia’ is feminine, so the correct article is ‘a’.
Preciso saber a lavanderia é.
Do not confuse the noun with the verb ‘lavar’; the sentence is about obtaining information, not describing the laundry.
↔Alternatives
Quero informações sobre a lavanderia.
I want information about the laundry.
Preciso de informações sobre a lavanderia.
I need information about the laundry.
Preciso saber como funciona a lavanderia.
I need to know how the laundry works.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil many apartment complexes have a shared ‘lavanderia’ on the ground floor, and hotels often provide a laundry service for guests. When asking for details, using ‘preciso saber’ sounds polite and straightforward. Avoid adding the preposition ‘de’ after ‘preciso’; the correct construction is ‘preciso saber…’.