When referring to abstract ideas, statements, or unnamed actions, English often uses "what" or "the thing that" (e.g., "I understand what you mean"). In Portuguese, you express this using o que.
O que
Use o que to connect clauses without referring to a specific masculine or feminine noun. It translates to "what" (in statements) or "the thing that".
Like in English, o que can appear in the middle of a sentence or at the beginning.
Aquilo que
You can also use the phrase aquilo que to mean exactly the same thing. On its own, aquilo means "that" (pointing to a distant or abstract concept). When paired with que, it acts as a fixed phrase meaning "that which", "what", or "the thing that".
Aquilo que and o que are interchangeable. Aquilo que simply adds a slight touch of emphasis, pointing more deliberately to "that specific thing".
Discussing feelings and conflict
Because o que and aquilo que summarize complex past events or statements into a single compact phrase, they are essential tools for navigating conflicts, expressing feelings, and working through relationship issues.