15 सेकंड में
- Used to ask someone to be less intense or harsh.
- Equivalent to 'go easy' or 'take it down a notch'.
- Works for physical exercise, dieting, or social interactions.
मतलब
It means to take it easy, be less harsh, or lower the intensity of something. It is what you say when someone is being too strict, working too hard, or exercising too intensely.
मुख्य उदाहरण
3 / 6At the gym with a trainer
Pega leve hoje, professor, estou muito cansado!
Go easy today, coach, I am very tired!
A boss being too critical
O chefe podia pegar leve na crítica, né?
The boss could go easy on the criticism, right?
Texting a friend who is teasing you
Pega leve! Eu só cometi um erro bobo.
Go easy! I only made a silly mistake.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
It is a cornerstone of the 'jeitinho' culture, prioritizing flexibility over rigid adherence to rules. Used, but 'ir com calma' is often preferred in formal or neutral settings. Used universally in Portuguese-speaking gyms to warn against overtraining. Used by managers to soften the blow of feedback.
Context is key
Always check if you are talking to a person (use 'com') or an activity (use 'no/na').
Register check
Don't use this with your boss unless you have a very friendly relationship.
15 सेकंड में
- Used to ask someone to be less intense or harsh.
- Equivalent to 'go easy' or 'take it down a notch'.
- Works for physical exercise, dieting, or social interactions.
What It Means
Pegar leve is your go-to phrase for de-escalation. It literally means 'to take light.' Think of it as the opposite of being heavy-handed. You use it when someone is pushing too hard. It applies to physical effort, emotional reactions, or even food. It is a plea for gentleness and moderation. It is the verbal equivalent of a deep breath.
How To Use It
You use it like a regular verb. You can say pega leve as a command. Or you can say eu vou pegar leve to describe your own actions. It usually takes the preposition com when referring to a person. For example: pega leve com ele. He is having a bad day. It is very flexible in Portuguese conversation. You will hear it in gyms and offices alike.
When To Use It
Use it when your friend is teasing you too much. Use it at the gym when the trainer is a beast. It works perfectly when you are eating after a stomach ache. 'I need to pegar leve with the spicy food today.' It is great for managing expectations in a new relationship too. It signals that you want to move slowly. It is a very 'chill' expression for everyday life.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in highly formal legal or military settings. You wouldn't tell a judge to pegar leve during a hearing. That might end poorly for you. Do not use it for serious safety warnings. If a bridge is collapsing, 'pegar leve' is too casual. It is also not for deep grief or tragedies. In those cases, use more formal words for 'compassion.' Keep it for social, physical, or work pressure.
Cultural Background
Brazilians generally value 'jogo de cintura' or flexibility. Being 'pesado' (heavy) or too intense is often seen as socially aggressive. Pegar leve reflects the cultural desire for harmony and relaxation. It is part of the 'deixa disso' (let it go) attitude. It rose to popularity in the 80s and 90s. Now, it is a staple of the national vocabulary. It captures the laid-back spirit of beach culture.
Common Variations
You might hear pegar mais leve to mean 'take it even easier.' Some people use ir de leve for physical movements or drinking. In some regions, you might hear maneirar. But pegar leve remains the undisputed king of this sentiment. It is understood from the north to the south. It is the ultimate 'cool down' phrase for any situation.
इस्तेमाल की जानकारी
The phrase is highly versatile and safe for most social situations. Just be careful with the preposition 'com' when referring to people, and remember it's primarily an informal expression.
Context is key
Always check if you are talking to a person (use 'com') or an activity (use 'no/na').
Register check
Don't use this with your boss unless you have a very friendly relationship.
Combine it
Use 'Pega leve aí' to sound like a native speaker.
Brazilian vibe
This phrase is the essence of the Brazilian 'relax' attitude.
उदाहरण
6Pega leve hoje, professor, estou muito cansado!
Go easy today, coach, I am very tired!
A very common way to ask for a lighter workout.
O chefe podia pegar leve na crítica, né?
The boss could go easy on the criticism, right?
Used to vent with colleagues about a harsh manager.
Pega leve! Eu só cometi um erro bobo.
Go easy! I only made a silly mistake.
Used to stop a friend from making fun of you too much.
Vou pegar leve no jantar, minha barriga ainda dói.
I'm going to go easy at dinner, my stomach still hurts.
Refers to eating light or bland food.
Pega leve com ele, ele ainda é uma criança.
Go easy on him, he is still a child.
An emotional appeal for more gentleness.
Nossa, peguei leve demais ou peguei pesado?
Wow, did I go too easy or was I too heavy?
A humorous way to check if a joke landed well.
खुद को परखो
Complete the sentence with the correct form.
Por favor, ____ ____ com o sal na comida.
The imperative 'pega leve' is the most natural way to give this informal instruction.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose the best option.
The phrase is 'pegar leve', and it is followed by 'na' (em + a) for the activity.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Estou muito estressado com o trabalho. B: ____ ____, vai dar tudo certo.
The context of stress requires a phrase that means to relax.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Your friend is yelling at a waiter.
You want your friend to be less harsh.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यासPor favor, ____ ____ com o sal na comida.
The imperative 'pega leve' is the most natural way to give this informal instruction.
Choose the best option.
The phrase is 'pegar leve', and it is followed by 'na' (em + a) for the activity.
A: Estou muito estressado com o trabalho. B: ____ ____, vai dar tudo certo.
The context of stress requires a phrase that means to relax.
Your friend is yelling at a waiter.
You want your friend to be less harsh.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालYes, it is understood, but 'ir com calma' is more common.
No, it is friendly and informal.
Literally yes, but nobody uses it that way.
Yes, it is the more polite/formal version of the imperative.
Pegar pesado.
No, it works for work, food, and relationships.
Because 'no' is 'em + o' and 'na' is 'em + a'.
Yes, that is perfect for asking for leniency.
It is informal, but not really slang. It is standard colloquial Portuguese.
Only if you are very close to the recipient.
संबंधित मुहावरे
Ir com calma
synonymTo go with calm
Pegar pesado
contrastTo go hard
Dar um desconto
similarTo give a discount/break
Aliviar a barra
similarTo lighten the situation
