Portuguese Phrase
O que você mais valoriza na vida?
Meaning
This question asks the listener to identify the thing they consider most important or valuable in their life. It invites a reflective answer about personal priorities, such as family, health, freedom, or happiness.
When to use
Use this phrase in personal conversations, language‑exchange meet‑ups, or interview settings when you want to get to know someone's core values. It works well after a brief small‑talk warm‑up, or as a deeper follow‑up to "Como você está?" (How are you?).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oquevocêmaisvalorizanavida?
O que (interrogative pronoun)
"O que" introduces a question about a thing or idea. It functions like English "what".
você (subject pronoun)
"você" is the informal second‑person singular pronoun, used like "you" in English.
mais (adverb of degree)
"mais" means "more" or "most" when placed before a verb or adjective.
valoriza (present indicative)
Verb "valorizar" (to value) conjugated for "você" in the present: ele/ela/você valoriza.
na (preposition + article)
"na" is the contraction of "em" + "a" (in/on + the) and introduces the noun "vida".
vida (noun)
"vida" means "life"; together with "na" it forms the prepositional phrase "na vida" (in life).
🗨In Conversation
O que você mais valoriza na vida?
What do you value most in life?
Eu valorizo muito a minha família e a saúde.
I value my family and health a lot.
✕Common Mistakes
Qual você mais valoriza na vida?
Use "o que" for asking about a thing or idea; "qual" is used with a specific set of options.
O que você mais valoriza‑s na vida?
The verb must agree with "você" (third‑person singular). Do not use "valoriza‑s" or "valorizar".
O que você mais valoriza vida?
The preposition "na" (em + a) is required; omitting it changes the meaning.
↔Alternatives
O que é mais importante para você na vida?
What is most important to you in life?
Qual é a coisa que você mais preza na vida?
What is the thing you cherish most in life?
O que você considera essencial na sua vida?
What do you consider essential in your life?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, conversations about personal values often touch on family, friendships, and a relaxed lifestyle. While it’s common to answer with "família" (family) or "saúde" (health), mentioning "trabalho" (work) or "carreira" can shift the tone to a more formal or career‑focused context. Be aware of the setting: in a casual coffee chat, a warm answer about relationships feels natural; in a professional interview, you might highlight "integridade" (integrity) or "ética" (ethics).