How to say “This shirt needs ironing” in Portuguese

Introduction

Learning simple practical phrases helps you navigate everyday life in Brazil. This article explains how to say and use the phrase Esta camisa precisa passar in Brazilian Portuguese. You will learn vocabulary, grammar tips, common variations, short dialogues, and realistic examples for shops, home, and travel situations.

Core phrase and literal meaning

The most natural way to say This shirt needs ironing in Brazilian Portuguese is Esta camisa precisa passar. This sentence uses precisa (needs) plus the verb passar (to iron in this context). For clarity, many Brazilians add the object ferro de passar (iron) or passar a ferro, but Esta camisa precisa passar is perfectly clear in casual speech.

Breakdown of the phrase:

Esta — this (feminine), used because camisa is feminine.

camisa — shirt.

precisa — needs; third person singular of precisar.

passar — in this context, to iron. Literally to pass (an iron) over the fabric.

Other common ways to say it

Brazilian Portuguese has multiple natural variations. These are useful depending on formality and context.

Esta camisa precisa ser passada — This shirt needs to be ironed. Passive construction, slightly more formal.

Esta camisa está muito amassada — This shirt is very wrinkled. Focuses on condition rather than the need.

Preciso passar esta camisa — I need to iron this shirt. Useful if you are the one doing it.

Você pode passar esta camisa? — Can you iron this shirt? A polite request.

Key vocabulary

camisa — shirt

camiseta — T-shirt (less formal than camisa)

calça — pants

saia — skirt

precisar — to need

passar — to iron (context-dependent)

passar a ferro — to iron (literally to iron with an iron)

ferro de passar — iron (the appliance)

amassado / amassada — wrinkled

engomar — to starch, to make stiff (used less often in casual speech)

Grammar tips for beginners

Gender agreement: camisa is feminine, so use esta rather than este. If you say this pants (calça), you also use feminina forms: esta calça.

Verb placement: In Portuguese, precisar + infinitive (precisa passar) is common. You can also use precisa ser + past participle (precisa ser passada) for a passive feel.

Pronouns: When asking someone directly, you can use você (you) for most situations. In more formal contexts or with older people, use o senhor / a senhora.

Short dialogues for real situations

Situation: At home, asking a roommate to iron

Eu: Você pode passar minha camisa?
Amigo: Claro. Que camisa é?
Eu: A branca, ela está muito amassada.

Situation: At a laundry or lavanderia

Cliente: Bom dia. Esta camisa precisa ser passada.
Atendente: Tudo bem. Quer que a gente engome também?
Cliente: Não, só passar, por favor.

Situation: Packing for a trip

Amiga: Sua camisa está amassada.
Você: Sim, preciso passar antes de sair.

Practical phrases to use in stores and services

Deixa eu ver a peça, por favor — Let me check the garment, please. Useful in a laundromat.

Quanto custa para passar uma camisa? — How much to iron a shirt? Useful at a lavanderia.

Vocês aceitam pagamento com cartão? — Do you accept card payment? Useful when paying for ironing services.

Preciso buscar minha roupa amanhã. — I need to pick up my clothes tomorrow. Useful for scheduling a pickup.

Common replies and polite expressions

Claro, posso passar agora. — Sure, I can iron it now.

Sem problema. — No problem.

Fica pronto em algumas horas. — It will be ready in a few hours.

Prefere com ou sem amaciante? — Do you prefer with or without fabric softener? Note: not directly related to ironing, but common in laundromats.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake: Using passar without context and causing confusion. Fix: Add camisa or ferro when needed. Example: Preciso passar a camisa / Preciso passar com o ferro.

Mistake: Gender errors. Fix: Remember camisa is feminine — esta camisa, a camisa está.

Mistake: Literal translation from English like Esta camisa necessita passar. Fix: Use precisa instead of necessita in casual speech. Necessitar is grammatically correct but formal and uncommon in speech.

Mistake: Forgetting ser in passive voice. Some learners say Esta camisa passada, which is incorrect. Use Esta camisa precisa ser passada or Esta camisa foi passada (was ironed).

More useful sample sentences

Vou passar esta camisa antes do trabalho. — I will iron this shirt before work.

Essa camisa ficou ótima depois de passar. — This shirt looked great after ironing.

Ele sempre passa as camisas dele no domingo. — He always irons his shirts on Sunday.

Posso te ajudar a passar sua camisa? — Can I help you iron your shirt?

Practice mini-conversation you can use

Você: Esta camisa precisa passar?
Vendedor: Sim, precisa. Quer que a gente passe aqui?
Você: Sim, por favor. Quanto tempo leva?
Vendedor: Cerca de uma hora.

Situational vocabulary: laundromat phrases

lavanderia — laundry / laundromat

prazo de entrega — delivery time

serviço expresso — express service

passar a ferro — to iron

lavar e passar — wash and iron

How to ask follow-up questions in Portuguese

When you hand over clothing, ask about timing and price. Examples:

Quando fica pronta? — When will it be ready?

Quanto custa? — How much does it cost?

Vocês podem entregar em casa? — Can you deliver it to my home?

Realistic examples for travel and short stays

At a hotel: Você tem serviço de passar roupa? — Do you have an ironing service?

At a market: Onde encontro um ferro de passar? — Where can I find an iron? Useful if you want to buy or borrow one.

At a hostel: Tem uma tábua de passar na cozinha? — Is there an ironing board in the kitchen?

Pronunciation tips for beginners

Pronounce camisa like kah-MEE-zah, stressing the second syllable. Pronounce passar like pah-SAR, with the final r slightly pronounced as a soft guttural or near silence depending on region. Pronounce precisa like preh-SEE-zah, stressing the second syllable.

Quick recap and useful short phrases

Esta camisa precisa passar — This shirt needs ironing.

Precisa ser passada — Needs to be ironed (passive).

Posso passar? — Can I iron it?

Quanto custa passar uma camisa? — How much to iron a shirt?

Conclusion

Mastering the phrase Esta camisa precisa passar and the related vocabulary lets you handle everyday situations like asking for ironing, using laundry services, or helping friends. Focus on gender agreement, common variations, and simple polite questions to communicate clearly. With these expressions and dialogues, you can confidently manage ironing-related conversations in Brazilian Portuguese.