💼❓🤔

How to Say ‘Why do you want to work?’ in Portuguese

Porque é que quer trabalhar?

POOR-kee eh kuh kehr tra-ba-LYAR

[POOR-kee eh kuh kehr tra-ba-LYAR]

💬 Usage Tip: Porque é que is the everyday way to ask "why" in Portugal, and the word order stays normal after it. Swap the verb: Porque é que saiu? "Why did you leave?"

Phrase Breakdown

Porque é que

POOR-kee eh kuh

Why

This is a very common way to ask 'why' in Portugal. Run it together as 'PUR-kyeh-kuh'.

Example

Porque é que estás triste?

Why are you sad?

Words in this phrase

Porque

[POOR-kee]

why

In 'porque é que', it introduces a 'why' question.

Example

Porque é que estudas português?

Why do you study Portuguese?

[eh]

Form of the verb 'ser' used to identify or state something.

Example

É meu interesse conhecer melhor a empresa.

It is my interest to get to know the company better.

que

[kuh]

that

Often used in expressions like claro que sim to reinforce the statement.

Example

Acho que podemos colaborar bem.

I think that we can collaborate well.

quer trabalhar?

kehr tra-ba-LYAR

do you want to work?

'Quer' is the formal 'you want'. 'Trabalhar' ends with a light tapped 'r'.

Example

Quer trabalhar amanhã?

Do you want to work tomorrow?

Words in this phrase

quer

[kehr]

do you want

Form of 'querer' addressing 'você' or 'o senhor'.

Example

Quer um café?

Do you want a coffee?

trabalhar

[tra-ba-LYAR]

to work

Infinitive verb meaning to work.

Example

Gosto de trabalhar cedo.

I like to work early.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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