Portuguese Phrase
Como você define o sucesso?
Meaning
A direct, reflective question that asks the listener to explain their personal definition of success. It invites a thoughtful answer about values, goals, or achievements.
When to use
Use this phrase in job interviews, networking events, classroom discussions, or casual conversations when you want to explore someone's aspirations or philosophy about achievement.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Comovocêdefineosucesso?
Como (How)
Interrogative adverb used to ask about manner or way; placed at the beginning of a question.
você (you)
Second‑person singular pronoun; neutral and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
define (define)
Present indicative of the verb definir; the subject (você) is omitted because Portuguese verbs are conjugated.
o (the)
Definite masculine article that agrees with the noun sucesso.
sucesso (success)
Masculine noun meaning ‘success’; often used in abstract or personal‑goal contexts.
🗨In Conversation
Como você define o sucesso?
How do you define success?
Para mim, sucesso é alcançar meus objetivos sem perder a saúde e a felicidade.
For me, success is reaching my goals without losing health and happiness.
✕Common Mistakes
Como você definir o sucesso?
The infinitive ‘definir’ is wrong here; you need the conjugated form ‘define’ to match the subject ‘você’.
Como você define sucesso?
Missing the definite article ‘o’; without it the sentence sounds incomplete.
Como define o sucesso?
In very formal written Portuguese you might replace ‘você’ with ‘o senhor/a senhora’, but dropping the pronoun entirely changes the tone.
↔Alternatives
O que significa sucesso para você?
What does success mean to you?
Qual a sua definição de sucesso?
What is your definition of success?
Como você entende o conceito de sucesso?
How do you understand the concept of success?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, success is often linked not only to professional achievements but also to personal well‑being, family harmony, and social contribution. When asking this question in a formal setting, keep a respectful tone; in informal chats, you can add a friendly smile to show genuine interest.