"Eles trabalham naquilo que gostam."

Translation: They work with what they like.

[delvi]

It seems that sometimes they want a literal translation, and other times that they want the "feeling" of the sentence. I think that is something that will get worked out as they continue "tweaking" the beta... :)

[Danmoller]

Native here. Well, I'm not sure my English is perfect when it's about prepositions (you know, prepositions do not always translate the same).

As for the Portuguese sentence, I can assure "naquilo" (em + aquilo) refers to the activity they work with, not to a place as "em" could suggest.

So, the meaning is they work on that activity they like.

With help from a native english speaker, we both agree that the closest literal translation is: "they work on that which they like", but it's a little weird.

The same sentence could be written in different forms, like

"eles trabalham no que gostam" - they work on what they like

"eles trabalham com o que gostam" - they work with what they like.

But I believe, despite the nuances, they all mean the same (at least in portuguese). Duolingo's version (naquilo que gostam) sounds more emphatic, adds more value to THAT activity they wanted to work with.

[tu.8zPhLD72zzoZN]

In English, "They work with what they like." doesn't refer to an activity, but to things that they work with to perform the activity. (Did they just get some new power tools?) I put "They work in that which they like." as I was trying to be closer to "naquilo" and it was accepted but means something totally different. It means that the field of work that they are working in is that which they like, whether it be a profession, a job, an activity. "They work on what they like." could mean that they are working on something which they like.(Maybe they don't even like the job, but this particular project they do like. For example, if someone works as a mechanic and it may be boring, but one day a Ferrari is brought in to be repaired and they like working on that.)

[E.N.SoulMusic]

@Danmoller
... do not always translate the same ***
(But of course this post is from many years ago and I'm sure you've mastered English by now...)

[TonyPay459804]

I am a native English speaker. They work "on" what they like. You can say "with" if you are talking about particular tools, or specific people. Context has a lot to do with it.

[polycrackr]

Sure hope so!

[Frencesca]

I said they work at what they like, I think that should be counted correct

[philipparker]

There is no "com" in this sentence. The translation should not be "with what they like". Right? "They work in what they like" was accepted, but I agree with @delvi , it's hard to keep up with what they want.

[delvi]

The word what is not an option in the translations. I was going to put "what" but chose "that" because it was the tranlastion option given....

[porkandcheese]

Estou de accordo

[drewarnold72]

Could we please get a native BP speaker or two to comment on this discussion thread? I also don't understand why this sentence translates as " They work with what they like."

[Danmoller]

Take a look at the first comment of this page.