Portuguese Phrase
O que eu mais gosto é levantar pesos.
Meaning
This phrase uses a cleft sentence structure to emphasize a specific preference. By starting with 'O que eu mais gosto' (What I like most), the speaker highlights 'levantar pesos' as their primary interest or hobby.
When to use
This is used in social situations when discussing hobbies, fitness routines, or personal passions. It is a natural response to questions about what you enjoy doing in your spare time or at the gym.
✦Grammar Breakdown
O queeumais gostoélevantar pesos
O que
A relative pronoun phrase used here to mean 'The thing that' or 'What'.
Infinitivo
The verb 'levantar' is in the infinitive because it functions as the subject complement in this sentence.
🗨In Conversation
Você gosta de ir à academia?
Do you like going to the gym?
Sim! O que eu mais gosto é levantar pesos.
Yes! What I like most is lifting weights.
✕Common Mistakes
O que eu mais gosto é levanto pesos.
The verb following the verb 'to be' (é) must be in the infinitive form (levantar) to act as a noun.
O que eu mais gosto de é levantar pesos.
While 'gostar' usually requires 'de', in this specific 'O que...' emphasis structure, the 'de' is typically dropped before 'é'.
↔Alternatives
Eu adoro fazer musculação.
I love doing weight training.
Minha atividade favorita é puxar ferro.
My favorite activity is pumping iron.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, 'musculação' (weight training) is a massive part of the culture, and gyms (academias) are often social hubs. Using the phrase 'puxar ferro' is a common informal way to refer to lifting weights among friends.