Question 1

Why is the pronoun me placed before the verb (não me satisfaz) instead of after it (não satisfaz-me)?

Accepted Answer

In European Portuguese, object pronouns normally attach to the end of the verb with a hyphen. However, negative words like não (not), nunca (never), or ninguém (nobody) act as "magnets." When a negative word comes before the verb, it pulls the pronoun to the front, dropping the hyphen.

Question 2

The verb form satisfaz looks irregular. What is the infinitive and how do I conjugate it?

Accepted Answer

The infinitive is satisfazer (to satisfy). Notice that it is just the prefix satis- attached to the highly irregular verb fazer (to do / to make). Compound verbs like this follow the exact same conjugation rules as their base verb. Since the "he/she/it" form of fazer is faz, the form for satisfazer becomes satisfaz.

Question 3

Could I use the word emprego instead of trabalho in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

You could, but it shifts the focus slightly. Emprego refers specifically to your employment, position, or contract. Trabalho refers to the actual labor, tasks, or daily effort. Saying Este trabalho não me satisfaz implies that the actual tasks you are doing are unfulfilling, whereas emprego might imply you are unhappy with the position or company itself.

Question 4

If I wanted to describe my own state of mind rather than what the job is doing to me, how would I rephrase this?

Accepted Answer

Instead of using the active verb satisfazer, you can use the verb estar (to be) with the adjective satisfeito (satisfied). You would say Não estou satisfeito com este trabalho if you identify as male, or Não estou satisfeita com este trabalho if you identify as female.

Este trabalho não me satisfaz.

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