Breakdown of Eu prefiro ser discreto no trabalho, mas também gosto de sorrir para mostrar confiança.
eu
I
ser
to be
gostar de
to like
também
also
mas
but
em
in
para
to
o trabalho
the work
a confiança
the confidence
preferir
to prefer
mostrar
to show
sorrir
to smile
discreto
discreet
Questions & Answers about Eu prefiro ser discreto no trabalho, mas também gosto de sorrir para mostrar confiança.
What does discreto mean in the context of this sentence?
Discreto translates to discreet in English. It describes a person who is reserved, understated, or unobtrusive—someone who avoids drawing undue attention, especially in a professional setting.
Why are the verbs prefiro and gosto de followed by an infinitive (i.e., ser and sorrir)?
In Portuguese, expressing preferences or likes typically involves using verbs like preferir (to prefer) and gostar de (to like) followed by an infinitive. Thus, prefiro ser means I prefer to be and gosto de sorrir means I like to smile.
What does no trabalho mean, and why is no used instead of simply em trabalho?
No trabalho means at work or in the workplace. The word no is a contraction of em + o, combining the preposition em (in) with the definite article o (the), which is a common construction in Portuguese.
What role does the conjunction mas play in this sentence?
The conjunction mas translates to but in English. It introduces a contrast between the two parts of the sentence: although the speaker prefers to be discreet at work, they also believe in smiling as a way to express or reinforce confidence.
Does this sentence imply a specific attitude toward professional behavior?
Yes, the sentence reflects a balanced approach to workplace behavior. It suggests that the speaker values professionalism by being reserved or discreto, while also recognizing the importance of warmth and confidence, as evidenced by the choice to smile. This combination implies that one can be both modest and self-assured.
More from this lesson
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Portuguese grammar?”
Portuguese grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning PortugueseMaster Portuguese — from Eu prefiro ser discreto no trabalho, mas também gosto de sorrir para mostrar confiança to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions