Portuguese Phrase
O que eu preciso saber antes de ligar?
Meaning
This question asks for the essential information or steps you should know before making a phone call. It can refer to practical details (phone number, time zone) or etiquette (how to greet, what to say).
When to use
Use this phrase when you are about to call someone—whether a client, a friend, or a service provider—and you want to be prepared. It’s common in business meetings, travel planning, or before contacting emergency services to ensure you have the right details.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oqueeuprecisosaberantesdeligar?
O que (interrogative)
"O que" is used to ask about something unknown, equivalent to "what" in English.
eu (subject pronoun)
The personal pronoun "eu" (I) is often optional in Portuguese, but it adds emphasis here.
preciso (verb of necessity)
"Preciso" is the first‑person singular present of "precisar" meaning "I need".
saber (infinitive after precisar)
When a verb of necessity (precisar, precisar de) is followed by another verb, the second verb stays in the infinitive without "de".
antes de (prepositional phrase)
"Antes de" means "before" and is always followed by a verb in the infinitive.
ligar (infinitive verb)
"Ligar" can mean "to call" (by phone) or "to turn on"; context decides the meaning.
🗨In Conversation
O que eu preciso saber antes de ligar?
What do I need to know before calling?
Verifique o número, o fuso horário e tenha uma breve apresentação pronta.
Check the number, the time zone, and have a short introduction ready.
✕Common Mistakes
O que eu preciso de saber antes de ligar?
The verb "precisar" already expresses necessity; adding "de" before another infinitive is incorrect.
O que eu preciso saber antes ligar?
"Antes" must be followed by the preposition "de" when introducing an infinitive.
O que eu preciso saber antes de ligar eu?
Avoid placing the subject pronoun after the infinitive; keep the sentence order natural.
↔Alternatives
O que devo saber antes de ligar?
What should I know before calling?
Quais informações preciso ter antes de fazer a ligação?
Which information do I need to have before making the call?
O que é importante saber antes de telefonar?
What is important to know before phoning?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, it’s considered courteous to confirm the best time to call, especially across different states with varying time zones. For business calls, start with a polite greeting and state your purpose clearly. Avoid calling too early in the morning or late at night unless it’s urgent.