Portuguese Phrase
O que você quer ser?
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to ask someone about their future career aspirations or life goals. It combines the interrogative 'O que' (what) with the verb 'querer' (to want) and the infinitive 'ser' (to be) to refer to a permanent identity.
When to use
It is most frequently used when talking to children about their dreams or to students and young adults about their professional path. It is a common icebreaker in social situations involving future plans.
✦Grammar Breakdown
O quevocêquerser
O que
This is a compound interrogative pronoun used to ask 'what' at the beginning of a sentence.
Querer (quer)
The verb 'querer' means 'to want'. In this phrase, it is conjugated in the third-person singular present tense.
Ser
This is the infinitive form of 'to be', used here to describe a long-term or permanent state, such as a career.
🗨In Conversation
O que você quer ser quando crescer?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Eu quero ser cientista!
I want to be a scientist!
✕Common Mistakes
O que você quer estar?
In Portuguese, 'ser' is used for permanent traits like professions, while 'estar' is for temporary states or locations.
O que você querer ser?
The verb 'querer' must be conjugated to 'quer' to agree with the subject 'você'.
↔Alternatives
Qual é a sua profissão dos sonhos?
What is your dream profession?
Com o que você pretende trabalhar?
What do you intend to work with?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, when answering this question, people usually don't use the indefinite article. For example, one would say 'Eu quero ser médico' (I want to be doctor) instead of 'Eu quero ser um médico' (I want to be a doctor).