Bedeutung
To study or work very hard, often late into the night.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Brazil, this phrase is heavily associated with 'concurseiros'—people who spend years studying for highly competitive civil service exams. In Portugal, the phrase is often linked to the historic University of Coimbra, where students have a long tradition of intense nocturnal study. The phrase is also used in African Lusophone countries with the same meaning, often in the context of building a new nation through education. Globally, the phrase is a badge of honor among PhD students and researchers in Portuguese-speaking universities.
Use with 'para'
Always follow the phrase with 'para' + infinitive to explain *why* you are working hard. E.g., 'Queimar as pestanas para aprender'.
Don't use for physical work
If you are tired from running or lifting weights, this is not the right phrase.
Bedeutung
To study or work very hard, often late into the night.
Use with 'para'
Always follow the phrase with 'para' + infinitive to explain *why* you are working hard. E.g., 'Queimar as pestanas para aprender'.
Don't use for physical work
If you are tired from running or lifting weights, this is not the right phrase.
Sound like a native
Use this phrase when complaining about a difficult exam to immediately sound more natural in Portuguese.
Teste dich selbst
Complete a frase com a forma correta do verbo 'queimar'.
Ontem eu _______ as pestanas para terminar o livro.
The word 'Ontem' (Yesterday) requires the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito).
Qual é o significado de 'queimar as pestanas'?
O que significa a expressão?
The idiom refers to intense intellectual effort.
Escolha a melhor resposta para o diálogo.
João: 'Você vem à festa?' | Maria: 'Não posso, preciso ________ para o concurso.'
In the context of a 'concurso' (public exam), studying hard is the expected action.
Combine a situação com a frase correta.
Situação: Um cientista trabalhando em uma nova vacina por meses.
Scientific research is a classic example of 'queimar as pestanas'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenOntem eu _______ as pestanas para terminar o livro.
The word 'Ontem' (Yesterday) requires the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito).
O que significa a expressão?
The idiom refers to intense intellectual effort.
João: 'Você vem à festa?' | Maria: 'Não posso, preciso ________ para o concurso.'
In the context of a 'concurso' (public exam), studying hard is the expected action.
Situação: Um cientista trabalhando em uma nova vacina por meses.
Scientific research is a classic example of 'queimar as pestanas'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYou can use it for both! Any task that requires intense mental focus and long hours qualifies.
It is almost always plural: 'pestanas'.
Yes, it is very common in both Portugal and Brazil.
It's informal to neutral. You can use it with your boss if you have a good relationship, but not in a legal document.
The closest equivalent is 'burning the midnight oil'.
Yes, it's a valid variation, though 'pestanas' is more common.
No, it's 100% figurative in modern usage.
Nós queimamos as pestanas.
Yes, if the hobby requires a lot of study or focus, like learning chess or coding.
Not at all. It's a very positive (though weary) expression.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Dar o sangue
similarTo give one's blood / to give 100% effort.
Passar a noite em claro
similarTo stay awake all night.
Bater o ponto
contrastTo punch the clock / to do the bare minimum.
Engolir livros
similarTo swallow books / to read voraciously.
