Portuguese Phrase
Do que você mais gosta em trabalhar aqui?
Meaning
This phrase is a common way to inquire about someone's job satisfaction or what aspects of their workplace they find most appealing. It's often used in interviews to gauge a candidate's motivation or in casual conversation among colleagues to understand their perspective on the job.
When to use
You can use this phrase in a job interview when you're the interviewer, or in a casual conversation with a colleague or friend to understand their feelings about their workplace. It's a polite and direct way to ask about positive aspects of their job.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Do quevocêmaisgostaemtrabalharaqui?
Do que (de + o que)
'Do que' is a contraction of the preposition 'de' (of/about) and the interrogative pronoun 'o que' (what). It's used when the verb requires 'de', like 'gostar de' (to like something/someone).
Gostar de
The verb 'gostar' (to like) always requires the preposition 'de' when followed by a noun or pronoun. When followed by an infinitive verb, it can be 'de' or 'em', but 'em' is more common for 'liking the act of doing something'.
Em trabalhar
In Portuguese, when a preposition like 'em' (in/on/at) is followed by a verb, the verb must be in the infinitive form. This construction means 'in working' or 'about working'.
🗨In Conversation
Olá, João! Do que você mais gosta em trabalhar aqui?
Hi, João! What do you like most about working here?
Ah, eu gosto muito da equipe e da flexibilidade de horários.
Oh, I really like the team and the flexible hours.
✕Common Mistakes
O que você mais gosta trabalhar aqui?
The verb 'gostar' (to like) always requires the preposition 'de' (of/about). When 'de' is followed by 'o que' (what), it contracts to 'do que'.
Do que você mais gosta de trabalhar aqui?
When expressing 'about working' or 'in working', Portuguese typically uses 'em' + infinitive, not 'de' + infinitive, especially after 'gostar de' when referring to the activity itself.
↔Alternatives
Qual é a melhor parte de trabalhar aqui?
What's the best part about working here?
O que você mais aprecia no seu trabalho?
What do you appreciate most in your job?
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian culture, asking about job satisfaction is generally acceptable and can be seen as a way to build rapport. However, in a formal interview setting, it's usually the interviewer who asks this question. When asked by a peer, it's a friendly inquiry, but responses might be more reserved than in some Western cultures, especially if there are negative feelings involved.