B1 Idiom Informell 5 Min. Lesezeit

trabalhar feito louco

trabalhar like crazy

Wörtlich: {"trabalhar":"to work","feito":"done","louco":"crazy"}

In 15 Sekunden

  • Work with extreme intensity.
  • Often implies being overwhelmed.
  • Casual and expressive.
  • Not for formal situations.

Bedeutung

Diese Phrase beschreibt jemanden, der intensiv oder übermäßig hart arbeitet, oft bis zur Erschöpfung. Es ist der perfekte Weg, um Ihren Freunden zu erzählen, dass Sie die ganze Woche mit Aufgaben beschäftigt waren.

Wichtige Beispiele

3 von 12
1

Texting a friend about your week

Desculpa não ter respondido antes, estive a trabalhar feito louco a semana toda!

Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I've been working like crazy all week!

2

Instagram caption for a busy workday

Aquele momento em que percebes que tens de trabalhar feito louco para cumprir o prazo. 😅 #worklife #deadline

That moment when you realize you have to work like crazy to meet the deadline. 😅 #worklife #deadline

3

Talking to a colleague after a tough project

Finalmente acabámos! Aqueles últimos dias foram de trabalhar feito louco.

We finally finished! Those last few days were about working like crazy.

🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

This phrase reflects a cultural appreciation for hard work and dedication in Brazil and Portugal. The intensity implied by 'like crazy' resonates with the value placed on effort and perseverance. It's a way to acknowledge the demanding nature of work, whether for survival or ambition, and to share that struggle in a relatable, informal way. It highlights a common experience of intense work periods.

💡

Embrace the Chaos!

This phrase captures that feeling of being slightly out of control but powering through. Use it when you want to sound energetic and relatable about your intense work periods.

🎯

Context is Key

While informal, it can be used humorously even in some semi-professional chats if the relationship is good. Just read the room before you deploy this one!

In 15 Sekunden

  • Work with extreme intensity.
  • Often implies being overwhelmed.
  • Casual and expressive.
  • Not for formal situations.

What It Means

This phrase paints a vivid picture. It's about working with extreme intensity. You're not just busy; you're *frenetic*. It implies a lack of normal control or moderation. The vibe is one of urgency and sheer effort. You might feel a bit overwhelmed, but you're pushing hard. It's like a mad dash to get things done. You're giving it your all, and then some!

Origin Story

The exact origin is a bit fuzzy, like a bad Wi-Fi signal. But the imagery is clear. Louco means crazy, right? So, feito louco means 'done like crazy' or 'in a crazy manner'. Imagine someone completely absorbed, maybe even a little wild-eyed, focused solely on their task. This isn't about a specific historical event. It’s more folk wisdom. It likely arose from observing people in intense labor. Think of artisans in old workshops. Or maybe farmers during harvest season. They worked with a singular, almost manic focus. This intense dedication became synonymous with 'crazy' work. It's a colorful way to describe that kind of single-minded hustle. It’s been around for ages, a classic way to describe extreme effort.

How To Use It

Use it when you're talking about your workload. It's great for sharing your struggles. You can say it to friends, family, or even colleagues. It fits casual conversations perfectly. Just describe your intense work period. You can use it to explain why you're tired. Or why you haven't called them back. It adds a bit of drama and emphasis. It makes your hard work sound epic. Or at least, very, very busy. Don't overthink it; just use it when the work feels overwhelming.

Real-Life Examples

Imagine your friend asks why you're always tired. You can say, "I've been trabalhar feito louco all week." Or maybe you missed a party. "Sorry I couldn't make it, I was trabalhar feito louco on that project." It's super common in everyday chat. You'll hear it on WhatsApp messages. It pops up in casual emails too. It’s a go-to phrase for expressing intense effort. It's like saying "I've been swamped." But with more flair! It’s also great for complaining humorously. "My boss had me trabalhar feito louco for this deadline." It really captures that feeling of being swamped.

When To Use It

Use trabalhar feito louco when you've genuinely worked extremely hard. It's for periods of intense, demanding labor. Think deadlines, big projects, or crunch times. It's perfect for explaining exhaustion. Or why you've been absent from social life. It fits when you feel overwhelmed by tasks. It's also good for humorous exaggeration. "I've been trabalhar feito louco just to keep up with emails." Use it when you want to emphasize the *intensity*. It's not for a light workload. It's for when you feel like you're running a marathon. A marathon uphill. In the rain. With a backpack full of bricks.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid this phrase in very formal settings. Think official reports or serious job interviews. It's too informal for those situations. Don't use it if you only worked a little late. It implies extreme effort. Using it for minor tasks sounds silly. It's like calling a drizzle a hurricane. Also, don't use it if you're complaining. It sounds like bragging if not genuine. If you want to sound professional, choose other words. Like "working diligently" or "focused effort." This phrase has a casual, almost frantic energy. It doesn't fit a calm, measured tone. It's not for delicate negotiations either.

Common Mistakes

A common slip-up is using it for minor tasks. "I trabalhar feito louco to find my keys." That's just searching! Another mistake is the grammar. Sometimes people forget the feito. They might say "trabalhar louco", which isn't standard. The feito links 'work' to 'crazy manner'. It's like saying "worked crazy-style." Also, confusing it with just being busy. "I was trabalhar feito louco just reading a book." No, that's leisure! It must involve actual work. Remember, it's about *intense* effort.

I was trabalhar louco on my homework. I was trabalhar feito louco on my homework.
I work feito louco for fun. I work feito louco when I have a big project.

Similar Expressions

There are other ways to say you're working hard. Ralar means to toil or slog away. It’s very common and informal. Dar duro is another good one, meaning 'to give it your all'. Se matar de trabalhar is even stronger, meaning 'to kill yourself working'. It’s quite dramatic! Trabalhar que nem um condenado means 'to work like a condemned person'. It's very intense. Each has its own flavor. Ralar is about steady effort. Dar duro is about commitment. Se matar is extreme. Trabalhar feito louco captures that frantic, overwhelming feeling best.

Memory Trick

💡

Picture a cartoon character. They're working at a desk. Papers are flying everywhere! Their hair is a mess. They have wild eyes and maybe steam coming out of their ears. They're moving so fast they're a blur. That's trabalhar feito louco! The 'crazy' (louco) part is the key. Imagine the character is literally *acting* crazy from the workload. It’s a visual reminder of the intense, possibly chaotic, effort involved. Like a mad scientist in their lab!

Quick FAQ

Is it always negative? Not necessarily. It can be used humorously. Or to describe passionate dedication. Can I use it in a job interview? Probably not. It's too informal. What if I'm just busy? Use estar ocupado or estar atarefado. This phrase implies *extreme* effort. Is it rude? No, it's just casual. It's a common idiom.

Nutzungshinweise

This is a highly informal idiom, best suited for casual conversations with friends, family, or close colleagues. Avoid it in formal settings, professional correspondence, or when speaking with superiors unless you have a very relaxed relationship. The phrase implies a level of intensity that can border on frantic or overwhelming.

💡

Embrace the Chaos!

This phrase captures that feeling of being slightly out of control but powering through. Use it when you want to sound energetic and relatable about your intense work periods.

🎯

Context is Key

While informal, it can be used humorously even in some semi-professional chats if the relationship is good. Just read the room before you deploy this one!

⚠️

Don't Overuse It!

If you say you're `trabalhar feito louco` every single day, it loses its impact. Save it for those genuinely crazy work periods to make it count.

💬

A Nod to Hustle Culture

This phrase taps into a cultural understanding of intense effort, common in many societies. It acknowledges that sometimes, you just have to go all out!

Beispiele

12
#1 Texting a friend about your week

Desculpa não ter respondido antes, estive a trabalhar feito louco a semana toda!

Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I've been working like crazy all week!

Explains a delay due to intense work.

#2 Instagram caption for a busy workday

Aquele momento em que percebes que tens de trabalhar feito louco para cumprir o prazo. 😅 #worklife #deadline

That moment when you realize you have to work like crazy to meet the deadline. 😅 #worklife #deadline

Adds a relatable, slightly humorous tone to a common work struggle.

#3 Talking to a colleague after a tough project

Finalmente acabámos! Aqueles últimos dias foram de trabalhar feito louco.

We finally finished! Those last few days were about working like crazy.

Reflects on a period of intense collective effort.

#4 Explaining why you're exhausted

Não dormi quase nada, andei a trabalhar feito louco no meu projeto pessoal.

I barely slept, I've been working like crazy on my personal project.

Highlights the personal toll of intense effort.

Job interview - discussing past workload (inappropriate use) Häufiger Fehler

✗ Na minha última empresa, eu trabalhava feito louco todos os dias.

✗ At my last company, I worked like crazy every day.

Too informal and potentially implies poor time management or burnout for a professional setting.

#6 Job interview - corrected version

✓ Na minha última empresa, eu trabalhei intensamente para cumprir os prazos.

✓ At my last company, I worked intensely to meet deadlines.

This is a more professional way to express high effort.

#7 WhatsApp message to a friend

Estou a trabalhar feito louco para acabar isto hoje. Depois falamos!

I'm working like crazy to finish this today. Talk later!

A quick, informal update showing urgency.

#8 Vlogger talking about a busy schedule

Gente, a minha vida anda uma loucura! Tenho andado a trabalhar feito louco para lançar o novo curso.

Folks, my life has been crazy! I've been working like crazy to launch the new course.

Used in a relatable, energetic context for online content.

#9 Talking about a difficult study session

Passei a noite inteira a trabalhar feito louco para o exame.

I spent the whole night working like crazy for the exam.

Emphasizes the extreme effort put into studying.

#10 Humorous complaint about a task

O meu chefe fez-me trabalhar feito louco para organizar esta festa surpresa!

My boss had me working like crazy to organize this surprise party!

Adds a touch of humor to a demanding task.

#11 Discussing a side hustle

Tenho andado a trabalhar feito louco nas minhas horas vagas para juntar dinheiro.

I've been working like crazy in my free time to save money.

Shows dedication to a personal goal outside of regular work.

#12 Describing a challenging freelance gig

Este cliente é exigente, estou a trabalhar feito louco para entregar o projeto a tempo.

This client is demanding, I'm working like crazy to deliver the project on time.

Explains the high level of effort required by a specific job.

Teste dich selbst

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: trabalhar feito louco

The phrase `trabalhar feito louco` means to work extremely hard or intensely.

Choose the sentence that uses the phrase correctly.

Which sentence uses `trabalhar feito louco` correctly?

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Trabalhei feito louco para terminar o projeto a tempo.

The phrase `trabalhar feito louco` describes intense work effort, fitting the context of finishing a project.

Find and fix the error in the sentence.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

The correct idiomatic expression is `trabalhar feito louco`, meaning 'to work like crazy'. `Como louco` is grammatically correct but less idiomatic for this specific phrase.

Translate this sentence into Portuguese.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

The phrase `trabalhar feito louco` is the idiomatic equivalent of 'working like crazy'. The present perfect continuous 'have been working' translates well to the Portuguese present perfect `tenho trabalhado`.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Formality Spectrum of `trabalhar feito louco`

Very Informal / Slang

This is where `trabalhar feito louco` typically sits. It's common in casual chats and among friends.

Estive a trabalhar feito louco o dia todo!

Neutral

While possible in some very relaxed workplace chats, it leans informal.

Preciso de trabalhar feito louco para acabar isto.

Formal

This phrase is generally avoided in formal contexts like business reports or official meetings.

Working intensely to meet the deadline.

Very Formal

Absolutely not suitable for highly formal communication.

Diligent effort was required.

When Do You `trabalhar feito louco`?

Working Intensely

Meeting a tight deadline

Temos de trabalhar feito louco para entregar isto amanhã!

📚

Pulling an all-nighter for exams

Passei a noite a trabalhar feito louco para o exame.

🤯

Handling unexpected workload

O chefe pediu mais trabalho, agora é trabalhar feito louco.

🎄

During a busy season (e.g., holidays)

Nesta altura do ano, é trabalhar feito louco.

✍️

Working on a passion project

Estou a trabalhar feito louco no meu livro.

🩹

After a mistake needing correction

Tive de trabalhar feito louco para corrigir o erro.

Comparing Intense Work Phrases

`trabalhar feito louco`
Meaning To work like crazy; extremely intensely, often feeling overwhelmed.
Vibe Frantic, urgent, possibly chaotic.
Usage Informal chats, explaining intense effort.
`dar duro`
Meaning To give it your all; to work hard and diligently.
Vibe Determined, committed, steady effort.
Usage General encouragement, describing commitment.
`ralar`
Meaning To toil, to slog; implies hard, often tedious, labor.
Vibe Grinding, laborious, persistent.
Usage Describing difficult, ongoing work, often physical.

Scenarios for `trabalhar feito louco`

🗓️

Deadlines

  • Final push before project completion
  • Urgent client request
  • Last-minute assignment
🎯

Personal Goals

  • Saving money intensely
  • Studying for a crucial exam
  • Developing a side project
⚠️

Unexpected Challenges

  • Fixing a major error
  • Dealing with a sudden surge in demand
  • Covering for a sick colleague
🗣️

Expressing Effort

  • Explaining tiredness
  • Humorous complaint about workload
  • Sharing a challenging experience

Aufgabensammlung

4 Aufgaben
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase. Fill Blank beginner

Estive a ___ ___ ___ a semana inteira para acabar o relatório.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: trabalhar feito louco

The phrase `trabalhar feito louco` means to work extremely hard or intensely.

Choose the sentence that uses the phrase correctly. Choose intermediate

Which sentence uses `trabalhar feito louco` correctly?

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Trabalhei feito louco para terminar o projeto a tempo.

The phrase `trabalhar feito louco` describes intense work effort, fitting the context of finishing a project.

Find and fix the error in the sentence. Error Fix intermediate

Finde und korrigiere den Fehler:

Eu estive a trabalhar como louco no meu TCC.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Eu estive a trabalhar feito louco no meu TCC.

The correct idiomatic expression is `trabalhar feito louco`, meaning 'to work like crazy'. `Como louco` is grammatically correct but less idiomatic for this specific phrase.

Translate this sentence into Portuguese. Übersetzen advanced

I've been working like crazy to meet this deadline!

Hinweise: Use the idiom for 'working like crazy'., Pay attention to verb conjugation for 'have been working'.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Tenho trabalhado feito louco para cumprir este prazo!

The phrase `trabalhar feito louco` is the idiomatic equivalent of 'working like crazy'. The present perfect continuous 'have been working' translates well to the Portuguese present perfect `tenho trabalhado`.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Häufig gestellte Fragen

20 Fragen

Literally, it translates to 'to work done crazy'. Trabalhar means 'to work', feito means 'done' or 'made', and louco means 'crazy'. So, it implies working in a 'crazy manner'.

It's generally neutral to slightly negative in connotation, as it implies intensity that can lead to exhaustion or stress. However, it can be used humorously or to express pride in overcoming a challenging workload, making the context crucial.

Absolutely! If you're pulling an all-nighter or intensely cramming for an exam, you can definitely say you've been trabalhar feito louco to prepare. It perfectly captures that high-pressure study mode.

Use it when you want to describe a period of exceptionally hard work, often with a sense of urgency or being overwhelmed. It's great for explaining why you're tired or haven't had time for other things.

Simply 'working hard' (trabalhar duro or dar duro) implies dedication. Trabalhar feito louco adds a layer of intensity, perhaps even a bit of franticness or lack of control, suggesting you're pushing beyond normal limits.

Generally, no. It's too informal for most professional emails or reports. You'd typically use phrases like 'working diligently', 'intensive effort', or 'focused work' in a formal context.

Se matar de trabalhar is even more extreme, literally meaning 'to kill oneself working'. It implies a level of self-sacrifice and exhaustion that is potentially harmful. Trabalhar feito louco is intense but usually implies a temporary, albeit crazy, work period.

While trabalhar feito louco is widely understood in both Portugal and Brazil, nuances might exist. However, the core meaning of intense, crazy work remains consistent across Portuguese-speaking countries.

The feito here acts as a connector, similar to 'done' or 'made'. It links the action ('trabalhar') to the manner ('louco'), essentially meaning 'to work in a crazy way' or 'work done crazily'.

Yes, you can! If you're intensely focused on a hobby, like building a complex model or writing a novel, you might describe that passionate effort as trabalhar feito louco. It emphasizes the dedication.

A frequent error is omitting the feito, saying trabalhar louco. While understandable, the idiomatic expression requires feito to link the verb and the adverbial concept of 'crazily'.

This phrase doesn't lend itself well to modifications like 'a little'. It inherently means *very* intensely. For less intensity, you'd use different phrases like trabalhar bastante (work a lot) or dar duro (give it your all).

It can imply disorganization or chaos, but not necessarily. The main focus is the extreme intensity and speed. Sometimes that intensity *leads* to a bit of chaos, but the core meaning is the sheer volume and pace of work.

Yes, absolutely. If you spent hours doing intense physical work, like manual labor or a demanding workout, you could describe that effort using trabalhar feito louco. It fits any type of demanding task.

Yes, when describing a female person working intensely, you might hear trabalhar feito louca. The adjective louco changes to louca to agree in gender with the person doing the work.

Saying you trabalhar feito louco at your job usually implies it's demanding and requires a lot of effort, possibly more than you'd ideally want. It's often said with a sigh or a chuckle.

Imagine a cartoon character working at lightning speed, papers flying everywhere, maybe looking a bit wild-eyed. That's the image of someone trabalhar feito louco – working with crazy intensity!

Avoid using it for tasks that aren't genuinely demanding. Saying you trabalhar feito louco just to pick up dry cleaning sounds absurd and undermines the phrase's meaning of extreme effort.

Definitely! Artists, writers, musicians, or designers might trabalhar feito louco when they're in a creative flow state, pouring all their energy into a project. It captures that focused, passionate drive.

The key is understanding that it signifies *extreme*, often overwhelming, work intensity, typically used in informal contexts to describe demanding situations.

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔄

dar duro

synonym

to give it your all, to work hard

Both phrases describe working hard, but `dar duro` focuses more on commitment and effort, while `trabalhar feito louco` emphasizes frantic intensity.

🔗

ralar

related topic

to toil, to slog away

This phrase also describes hard work, but `ralar` often implies tedious, laborious effort, whereas `trabalhar feito louco` suggests a more intense, possibly chaotic, pace.

🔗

se matar de trabalhar

related topic

to kill oneself working

This is a more extreme version, implying potentially unhealthy levels of work and exhaustion, going beyond the 'crazy' intensity of `trabalhar feito louco`.

👔

trabalhar arduamente

formal version

to work arduously/hard

This is a more formal and less idiomatic way to express intense work, suitable for professional contexts where `trabalhar feito louco` would be inappropriate.

🔄

trabalhar que nem um condenado

synonym

to work like a condemned person

This phrase is also very informal and implies extremely hard, relentless work, similar in intensity to `trabalhar feito louco` but with a slightly more desperate connotation.

🔗

estar atarefado

related topic

to be busy/swamped

While `estar atarefado` simply means being busy, `trabalhar feito louco` describes the *manner* in which one might be busy – with extreme intensity and perhaps overwhelm.

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