How to say “I need to scan this” in Portuguese

Introduction

Knowing how to say I need to scan this in Brazilian Portuguese helps you in offices, stores, post offices, pharmacies, and copy shops. This article explains useful vocabulary, polite phrases, short dialogues, and common responses so a complete beginner can confidently ask for scanning services and understand what staff might ask back.

Basic phrase: how to say I need to scan this

The simplest, most direct way to express the idea is Preciso escanear isto. This sentence is clear in stores or copy centers. You can also say Preciso digitalizar isto, which uses a synonym that Brazilians often understand.

Key verbs to know:

precisar — to need; used like I need

escanear — to scan; common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese

digitalizar — to digitize/scan; slightly more formal but equally correct

Short variations and polite forms

Beginners should learn both direct and polite forms. Use direct forms when in a hurry; add a polite opener when you want to be courteous.

Direct

Preciso escanear isto.

Polite

Com licença, preciso escanear este documento.

More specific

Preciso escanear estas páginas.

Preciso digitalizar este documento em PDF.

Useful vocabulary for scanning situations

Here are essential nouns and expressions you will see or need when asking to scan something.

documento — document

página — page

arquivo — file

PDF — PDF (same acronym)

JPEG — JPEG (image file)

cópia — copy

impressão — printing

USB — USB (device to save the file)

e-mail — email (to send file)

scanner — scanner (the machine)

centro de cópias — copy center

How to ask where to scan or if they provide the service

If you need to locate a place to scan or confirm the service, use these beginner-friendly lines.

Vocês fazem digitalização?

Tem scanner aqui?

Posso escanear isso aqui?

Each phrase is short and appropriate for a shop counter or information desk. Vocês fazem digitalização asks if they offer scanning. Tem scanner aqui asks if a scanner is available. Posso escanear isso aqui asks permission to use their scanner.

Adding details: file format, color, and destination

People who scan often need to state file format, color options, and where the scanned file should go. Use these simple phrases.

Eu quero em PDF, por favor.

Pode salvar no meu pen drive USB?

Envie para o meu e-mail, por favor.

Preciso em preto e branco.

Preciso colorido.

If you need a specific resolution or size, beginners can say em alta resolução for high resolution or em baixa resolução for low resolution.

Common short dialogues at a copy shop or post office

Simple dialogues help you hear the flow of a real exchange. Each line is labeled by speaker role and uses everyday language.

Client: Com licença, preciso escanear este documento.
Clerk: Claro. Você quer em PDF ou imagem?
Client: PDF, por favor. Pode enviar para o meu e-mail?
Clerk: Sim. Qual é o seu e-mail?

Client: Preciso digitalizar estas três páginas.
Clerk: Quer colorido ou preto e branco?
Client: Preto e branco está bom. Quanto fica?
Clerk: São R$ 3,00 por página.

Client: Tem scanner livre agora?
Clerk: Aguarde um minuto, eu já libero.

How staff might ask follow-up questions

When you say you need to scan something, staff often ask short questions. Know these to understand their requests.

Qual o formato? — What format? (PDF, JPEG)

Para onde eu mando? — Where should I send it?

Você quer uma cópia impressa também? — Do you want a printed copy as well?

Vai pagar em dinheiro ou cartão? — Will you pay in cash or card?

Polite responses and confirmations

Here are simple replies you can use to confirm or answer staff questions politely.

Em PDF, por favor.

Envie para este e-mail: [email protected].

Não, só digital mesmo.

Pago em cartão.

Practice these short replies to sound natural and efficient when interacting with staff.

Common mistakes beginners make (and how to avoid them)

Beginners often mix verbs, forget articles, or use literal translations. Here are frequent errors and corrections.

Mistake: *Eu necessito scan this* — incorrect mix of languages. Use Preciso escanear isto instead.

Mistake: omitting the object when context is unclear. Say Preciso escanear este documento to be specific.

Mistake: using European Portuguese verbs or spellings. Stick with Brazilian terms like escanear and digitalizar.

Extra polite phrases and useful words for service interactions

Being polite helps in tight or busy places. Use these phrases to show courtesy and make transactions smoother.

Com licença — Excuse me

Por favor — Please

Obrigado or Obrigada — Thank you (male/female speaker)

Desculpe, eu não entendi — Sorry, I did not understand

Pode repetir, por favor? — Can you repeat, please?

Practical tips for real-life scanning situations

These simple tips help you avoid confusion and save time when scanning documents in Brazil.

Bring a USB drive or have your email ready to avoid on-site transfer problems. Say meu pen drive or provide your email address clearly.

Specify format and color before they start. Say PDF, por favor, em preto e branco if that is what you need.

If you need multiple pages scanned as one file, say tudo em um único arquivo.

Ask about price before they scan: Quanto custa para escanear?

Special cases: scanning photos or large documents

Scanning photos or bound books may require special handling. Use these phrases to explain your needs.

Preciso escanear uma foto, pode ser em alta resolução?

Este livro é grosso, consegue escanear as páginas?

For large formats like A3, say Preciso em tamanho A3. For standard paper, A4 is common: A4, por favor.

Example: a full practical interaction

This longer example shows a typical real exchange at a copy shop, using beginner-level language.

Cliente: Boa tarde. Preciso escanear este contrato.
Atendente: Boa tarde. Em que formato você quer?
Cliente: Em PDF, por favor. Pode enviar para o meu e-mail?
Atendente: Claro. Qual é o e-mail?
Cliente: [email protected]. Preciso que todas as páginas fiquem em um único arquivo.
Atendente: Tudo bem. Vai ser em preto e branco ou colorido?
Cliente: Preto e branco. Quanto fica?
Atendente: São R$ 2,00 por página, total R$ 10,00.
Cliente: Ok, pago no cartão. Obrigado.

Quick reference cheat sheet (one-line phrases)

Keep this mini list in your phone for quick access when you need to scan something.

Preciso escanear isto.

Preciso digitalizar este documento.

Tem scanner aqui?

Pode enviar para meu e-mail?

Eu quero em PDF.

Conclusion

With the key verbs, polite phrases, and example dialogues in this article, beginners can confidently say I need to scan this in Brazilian Portuguese and handle common follow-up questions. Practice the short lines, prepare your email or USB, and use the cheat sheet to make scanning smooth and stress-free.