Portuguese Phrase
Você tem que pagar o depósito antes de se mudar.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone that they are required to pay the security deposit prior to moving into a new residence. It is a typical clause found in rental agreements and conveys a clear obligation.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing rental contracts, apartment viewings, or any situation where a landlord requires a deposit before the tenant can take possession of the property. It works both in formal written communication (e.g., emails) and in spoken conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vocêtemquepagarodepósitoantesdesemudar
Pronome de tratamento
"Você" is the second‑person singular pronoun used in most everyday Brazilian Portuguese.
Locução verbal "tem que"
"Tem que" expresses obligation, equivalent to English "have to"; it is followed by an infinitive verb.
Verbo no infinitivo
"Pagar" stays in the infinitive after "tem que".
Artigo definido
"O" defines the noun "depósito" (the deposit).
Locução prepositiva "antes de"
"Antes de" introduces a temporal clause and is always followed by a verb in infinitive or a reflexive infinitive.
Verbo reflexivo "se mudar"
"Mudar" becomes reflexive with "se" to mean "to move (to a new place)".
🗨In Conversation
Quando posso mudar para o apartamento?
When can I move into the apartment?
Você tem que pagar o depósito antes de se mudar.
You have to pay the deposit before moving.
✕Common Mistakes
Você tem pagar o depósito antes de se mudar.
The construction "tem" must be followed by "que" to express obligation.
Você tem que pagar o depósito antes mudar.
After "antes" you need the preposition "de".
Você tem que pagar o deposito antes de se mudar.
The word "depósito" requires an acute accent on the 'i'.
↔Alternatives
É necessário pagar o depósito antes de mudar.
It is necessary to pay the deposit before moving.
Você precisa pagar o depósito antes de mudar.
You need to pay the deposit before moving.
Antes de se mudar, é preciso pagar o depósito.
Before moving, you must pay the deposit.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, a "depósito" (often called "caução") is usually equivalent to one month's rent and is standard in most lease contracts. It is paid before the tenant receives the keys, and the landlord returns it at the end of the tenancy, provided there is no damage. Using "você" is neutral; if you want a more formal tone, you can replace it with "o senhor / a senhora".

