I could use a drink

by | Sep 22, 2011 | Everyday Expressions | 38 comments

Several people asked me about a sentence in the last video we showed you.

Click here to see the video: “O Brasil está ‘mandando ver’ com a produção do iPad”.

Several students didn’t understand it when the host said:

“Brazil could use an economic boost.”

Most of our students understood that he was saying…

O Brasil poderia/gostaria de usar um empurrão na economia.

But that is not what the expression means!

  • that is not what it means = não é isso que significa

[blocknote class=”red” title=”O que significa a expressão ‘’could use’”] Como se diz “could use” em português? Qual é a tradução de “could use”? What does “could use” mean? What is the meaning of “could use”?

  • could use = “estar precisando” de algo; precisar muito;  algo “cairia bem”

Brazil could use an economic boost. = Brazil precisa muito de um empurrão na economia.

[/blocknote]

Other examples:
I could use a haircut. = Estou precisando de um corte de cabelo.
I could sure use a cup of coffee right now. I’m tired. = Preciso tomar café. Que canseira!
I could use a nice hot shower right now. = Um bom banho quente cairia bem agora.
I could use some help over here! = Preciso de ajuda aqui!
You look as if you could use a break. = Parece que você está precisando de uma pausa (no serviço).

How about you? Please tell us what you “could use” right now.

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38 Comments

  1. daniel
    daniel on September 22, 2011 at 17:04

    excelente post. 🙂

    Reply
    • timandtammy
      timandtammy on September 22, 2011 at 19:16

      Thanks, Daniel!

      Reply
  2. Sandra
    Sandra on September 22, 2011 at 17:34

    I loved that.

    Reply
    • timandtammy
      timandtammy on September 22, 2011 at 19:17

      Glad to hear that, Sandra!

      Reply
  3. Fer
    Fer on September 22, 2011 at 18:13

    I could use some spare money in the pocket right now 🙂

    Reply
    • timandtammy
      timandtammy on September 22, 2011 at 19:17

      Same here! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Rosana Cardozo
    Rosana Cardozo on September 22, 2011 at 18:14

    I could use a friend to talk English with.

    Is this correct? I've tried.

    Reply
    • timandtammy
      timandtammy on September 22, 2011 at 20:36

      That's correct, Rosana.

      Reply
  5. Carlos
    Carlos on September 22, 2011 at 18:17

    I could use to visit your website everyday…

    Reply
    • timandtammy
      timandtammy on September 22, 2011 at 20:37

      Hello, Carlos. You can't use this expression with a verb after it. So it would be better to say…

      I could use some help with my English.

      Or something like that.

      Thanks for your participation!

      Reply
  6. Van
    Van on September 22, 2011 at 19:23

    That´s great! I have no idea how  to translate that.
    excellet tip!

    Reply
    • timandtammy
      timandtammy on September 22, 2011 at 20:37

      Thanks, Van! Glad you liked it.

      Reply
  7. Bruno
    Bruno on September 22, 2011 at 20:35

    I think I came across this expression a couple of times and never realized its real meaning..
    Great post Tim!
    Thks a lot.

    Reply
    • timandtammy
      timandtammy on September 22, 2011 at 22:37

      Thanks, Bruno! Glad you enjoyed the tip.

      Reply
  8. Maristela
    Maristela on September 22, 2011 at 22:33

    I could use a good night sleep!

    Reply
    • timandtammy
      timandtammy on September 22, 2011 at 22:37

      So could I!

      Reply
  9. Nathalia
    Nathalia on September 22, 2011 at 23:18

    I could use a glass of beer right now.

    Reply
  10. magda
    magda on September 22, 2011 at 23:23

    I could use some peace in my mind,. I'm exaust!

    Reply
  11. Plautus
    Plautus on September 23, 2011 at 08:30

    This house could use a coat of paint. Congratulations for this very useful site!

    Reply
  12. Roni
    Roni on September 23, 2011 at 10:48

    I could use improve my English right now.

    Reply
  13. Patricia
    Patricia on September 23, 2011 at 14:01

    I could sure use to receive emails like that!!! 🙂

    Reply
  14. timandtammy
    timandtammy on September 23, 2011 at 14:12

    Thank you for participating Nathalia, Magda, Plautus, and Roni (and everyone else I already answered up there).

    Roni, just don't forget that after "I could use" you need to have a *noun* [substantivo]. I could use (something). You can't use a verb after this expression.

    Reply
  15. Rogério
    Rogério on September 23, 2011 at 15:04

    Hey Tim, I could use some extra money to finish my home remodeling!

    Reply
  16. Patricia
    Patricia on September 23, 2011 at 20:40

    Hey Tim,

    Can I use a preposition (like "to") after "I could use"?

    Reply
  17. vagner
    vagner on September 23, 2011 at 23:05

    Great tip
    Txs ; )

    Reply
  18. Anderson Carrijo
    Anderson Carrijo on September 23, 2011 at 23:18

    I could use a glass of hot milk right now to sleep better tonight!! …. The time goes by but those tips are stil FANTASTIC.. Wow!! Thanks a million Barrets!..HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND !!

    Reply
  19. Vera Graña
    Vera Graña on September 24, 2011 at 08:08

    Well, as I see European Comunity could use an economic boots!

    Reply
  20. vavahugo
    vavahugo on September 24, 2011 at 09:00

    Intersting. Now I know what Katty Perry is saying at that song she sings with B.O.B , the is E.T.
    I could use a substacial breakfast it's 9 o'clok in the morning.

    Reply
  21. Joanna
    Joanna on September 29, 2011 at 12:20

    I could use some time off… 🙂 just relaxing…
    Congratulations on the tips!!!

    Reply
  22. Alberto
    Alberto on September 30, 2011 at 16:27

    I could use some water, because I'm thisty!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  23. LuciaPereira
    LuciaPereira on October 10, 2011 at 23:15

    Hi Tim. Thanks for the great post, as always. Well, I'm sure I could use something to eat right now cause I am really starving 🙁

    Reply
  25. Ednardo
    Ednardo on December 20, 2011 at 11:54

    I could use a cup of coffee and stay up all night on the internet in this website, this website is real nice!!!!

    Reply
  26. Vinicius
    Vinicius on June 25, 2012 at 23:00

      Eu poderia usar a expressão somente usando o could
      Exemplo:I could drink some more dude

     Essa é minha dúvida

    Reply
    • timandtammy
      timandtammy on July 2, 2012 at 09:32

      Sim, poderia dizer isso, mas não seria exatamente essa expressão. Abraços.

      Reply
  27. Luana
    Luana on June 26, 2013 at 20:51

    Really so good !!! I love your site… I could use improving my english, become fluent. I love english and learn each day a little more. Hugs

    Reply
  28. Luiz
    Luiz on May 11, 2016 at 16:16

    I really could use a teacher like Tim in my school. Thanks Tim, you’re the best!

    Reply

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