Portuguese Phrase
O que te motiva?
Meaning
Literally, "What motivates you?" It asks the listener to reveal the driving force behind their actions, goals, or passions. The question is neutral and can be used in both casual conversation and more reflective settings.
When to use
Use this question when you want to get to know someone’s personal goals, when conducting an interview, or when you’re discussing personal development. It works well in informal settings with friends, but can also be adapted for a professional context by using a more formal pronoun.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oquetemotiva?
O que
The interrogative phrase "O que" means "what" and is used to ask about things or concepts.
te
Clitic pronoun for the second‑person singular (you). In Brazil it is used with informal "você"; in Portugal it pairs with "tu".
motiva
Third‑person singular present indicative of the verb "motivar" (to motivate). The subject is the implicit "o que".
🗨In Conversation
Oi, Ana! O que te motiva a estudar todos os dias?
Hey, Ana! What motivates you to study every day?
Eu adoro aprender coisas novas e ver meu progresso. E você?
I love learning new things and seeing my progress. And you?
✕Common Mistakes
O que lhe te motiva?
Using "te" with the formal "você" can sound too casual in Portugal; replace with "lhe" for a polite tone.
O que te motivas?
Do not conjugate the verb for "tu" ("motivas") unless you are using the "tu" pronoun explicitly.
O que você te motiva?
Avoid adding a subject pronoun like "você" before the verb, which creates redundancy: "O que você te motiva?" is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
O que te impulsiona?
What drives you?
O que te inspira?
What inspires you?
O que te faz seguir em frente?
What makes you keep going?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, "te" is the usual object pronoun with "você" (the informal you). In Portugal, speakers often use "tu" with "te" or switch to the more formal "lhe" with "você" – e.g., "O que lhe motiva?". Adjust the pronoun according to the level of formality and the regional variety you’re speaking.