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A2 noun 9 min read

mercado de trabalho

Examples mercado de trabalho in 30 Seconds
Explanation mercado de trabalho in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should understand that 'mercado de trabalho' refers to jobs in general. You don't need to know complex economic theories, but you should recognize the phrase in simple contexts like 'I want a job' or 'There are many jobs.' Think of it as the place where you go to find work. It is 'o mercado' (masculine) and it is 'de trabalho' (of work). You might hear it in very basic introductions or when talking about why you are learning Portuguese (e.g., 'para o mercado de trabalho'). Focus on the pronunciation and the fact that it is a single concept. You can use it in simple sentences like 'O mercado de trabalho é grande' (The job market is big). At this stage, just treat it as a vocabulary item that means 'job world.'
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'mercado de trabalho' to describe your own situation or the situation in your country. You should be able to say things like 'Estou procurando uma vaga no mercado de trabalho' (I am looking for an opening in the job market). You begin to understand that the market can be 'bom' (good) or 'difícil' (difficult). You will see this phrase in job advertisements or simple news headlines. You should also be able to use the preposition 'no' (em + o) correctly with it. It's a key term for basic career discussions, such as talking about your 'primeiro emprego' (first job) and how you are entering the market for the first time. You are building the foundation to talk about professional life.
At the B1 level, you can discuss the 'mercado de trabalho' with more nuance. You can talk about trends, such as 'O mercado de trabalho está mudando com a tecnologia' (The job market is changing with technology). You can use more descriptive adjectives like 'competitivo' (competitive) or 'instável' (unstable). You should be comfortable using the term in the context of interviews, explaining how your skills fit the current market. You can also distinguish between the 'mercado' and your specific 'área' (field). You might participate in discussions about unemployment or the importance of a 'currículo' (resume) to stand out in the market. Your vocabulary is expanding to include related terms like 'exigências' (requirements) and 'oportunidades' (opportunities).
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At the B2 level, you are capable of following and participating in complex debates about the 'mercado de trabalho'. You can discuss macroeconomic factors like inflation, government policy, and globalization and how they affect the market. You understand idiomatic expressions like 'o mercado está aquecido' (the market is hot/booming) and can use them naturally. You can write essays or give presentations on topics like 'A inclusão no mercado de trabalho' (Inclusion in the job market) or 'O impacto da inteligência artificial no mercado de trabalho'. You are aware of the differences between the job markets in different Portuguese-speaking countries (e.g., Brazil vs. Portugal) and can discuss the 'fuga de cérebros' (brain drain) as a market phenomenon.
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At the C1 level, your understanding of 'mercado de trabalho' is sophisticated. You can use the term in academic, professional, or highly formal settings with precision. You understand the sociological implications of the market, such as 'precarização do trabalho' (job insecurity/gig economy) and 'flexibilização laboral'. You can analyze market reports, understand subtle rhetorical uses of the term in political speeches, and use synonyms like 'setor laboral' appropriately. You can discuss the 'mercado de trabalho' in relation to social mobility and structural inequality. Your use of the term is fluid, and you can navigate professional networking and high-level negotiations where the state of the market is a primary factor.
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At the C2 level, you have a native-like command of the term 'mercado de trabalho' and all its connotations. You can use it in philosophical discussions about the nature of work in the 21st century or in deep economic analysis. You can identify and use very specific jargon related to different sectors of the market. You understand historical shifts in the 'mercado de trabalho' and can discuss them with historical and cultural context. You can write complex articles, policy papers, or academic theses where the 'mercado de trabalho' is a central theme. You are sensitive to the nuances of how the term is used to frame public opinion and can deconstruct those framings in both speech and writing. Your mastery is complete.
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Examples

mercado de trabalho in 30 Seconds

  • Mercado de trabalho means 'job market' and refers to the supply and demand for labor.
  • It is a masculine noun phrase used with the article 'o' or preposition 'no'.
  • It is common in news, education, and professional settings to discuss employment trends.
  • Common adjectives include 'competitivo' (competitive), 'aquecido' (hot), and 'saturado' (saturated).

The term mercado de trabalho is a fundamental concept in both economics and daily conversation within the Portuguese-speaking world. It literally translates to 'market of work' or 'job market.' In its most basic sense, it refers to the abstract space where the supply of labor (the people looking for jobs) meets the demand for labor (the employers or companies looking for workers). Understanding this term is crucial for anyone looking to live, work, or study in a Lusophone country, as it appears constantly in news reports, career advice, and social discussions about the state of the economy. When we talk about the mercado de trabalho, we are often discussing the availability of jobs, the required skills for current roles, and the overall health of the employment sector.

Economic Context
It represents the interaction between workers and employers, influenced by government regulations, technological changes, and global economic trends.
Social Context
It is used to describe the challenges young graduates face when starting their careers or the difficulties older workers encounter when trying to re-enter the workforce.
Functional Use
Used in phrases like 'entrar no mercado de trabalho' (to enter the job market) or 'o mercado de trabalho está aquecido' (the job market is booming/hot).

In Brazil and Portugal, the mercado de trabalho is currently undergoing significant shifts due to the 'transformação digital' (digital transformation). This means that when people use this phrase today, they are often implying a need for 'requalificação' (retraining) or 'novas competências' (new skills). It is not just a place where you find a job; it is a dynamic system that dictates the value of certain professions over others. For example, the technology sector is currently a very prominent part of the mercado de trabalho, offering higher salaries due to high demand and low supply of qualified professionals.

Muitos jovens têm dificuldade em conseguir o primeiro emprego no mercado de trabalho atual.

As novas tecnologias estão mudando radicalmente o mercado de trabalho global.

Para ter sucesso no mercado de trabalho, é preciso investir em educação contínua.

O governo anunciou novas medidas para estimular o mercado de trabalho local.

A flexibilidade é uma característica cada vez mais valorizada no mercado de trabalho moderno.

Furthermore, the term is used to describe the state of competition. If someone says 'o mercado está saturado' (the market is saturated), they mean there are too many workers for too few jobs in a specific area. Conversely, if 'o mercado está carente de profissionais' (the market lacks professionals), it means there are many openings but not enough qualified people to fill them. This balance between supply and demand is the core of what defines the mercado de trabalho.

Using mercado de trabalho correctly involves understanding its role as a noun phrase. It usually acts as the object of a preposition (like 'no' or 'para') or as the subject of a sentence. Because it is a compound noun, it functions as a single unit of meaning. You will frequently find it paired with verbs of movement or state, reflecting a person's journey through their professional life.

Entering the Market
Use 'entrar no' or 'ingressar no' when talking about starting a career. Example: 'Depois da faculdade, ele finalmente entrou no mercado de trabalho.'
Market Conditions
Use adjectives like 'aquecido' (hot), 'frio' (cold), 'competitivo' (competitive), or 'difícil' (difficult) to describe the current state.
Preparation
Use 'preparar-se para' when discussing education or training. Example: 'É fundamental se preparar para o mercado de trabalho desde cedo.'

When constructing sentences, pay attention to the preposition 'em'. In Portuguese, 'in the job market' becomes 'no mercado de trabalho' (em + o). If you are referring to a specific sector, you might say 'o mercado de trabalho de tecnologia' or 'o mercado de trabalho na área da saúde'. This specificity helps narrow down the broad concept to a particular industry.

Como está o mercado de trabalho para engenheiros em Portugal?

Ela decidiu mudar de carreira para se adaptar ao novo mercado de trabalho.

O mercado de trabalho exige cada vez mais o domínio de línguas estrangeiras.

A pandemia causou uma grande instabilidade no mercado de trabalho.

Existem muitas oportunidades no mercado de trabalho para quem sabe programar.

Another common structure is using 'frente ao' or 'perante o' (in the face of / before) when discussing how people or policies react to the market. For instance, 'A resiliência é essencial frente ao mercado de trabalho atual.' This highlights the market as an external force that individuals must navigate. In summaries or reports, you will see 'tendências do mercado de trabalho' to describe future projections or current patterns like remote work (teletrabalho).

In daily life in Brazil or Portugal, you will hear mercado de trabalho in several distinct environments. One of the most common places is on the nightly news. News anchors frequently report on 'as taxas de desemprego no mercado de trabalho' (unemployment rates in the job market) or 'o crescimento do mercado de trabalho'. It is a key indicator of the country's economic health, so it is a staple of financial and political reporting.

In Universities
Professors and career counselors use it to talk about post-graduation life. 'Vocês precisam estar prontos para o mercado de trabalho.'
In Corporate Offices
HR professionals (Recursos Humanos) discuss the 'mercado de trabalho' when benchmarking salaries or looking for talent.
In Casual Conversation
Friends might complain about how 'o mercado de trabalho está difícil' when they are struggling to find a new role.

You will also encounter this term in 'feiras de emprego' (job fairs). These events are specifically designed to bridge the gap between candidates and the mercado de trabalho. Advertisements for courses, whether they are vocational (técnicos) or academic, almost always mention how the course will help the student 'se destacar no mercado de trabalho' (stand out in the job market). This highlights the competitive and comparative nature of the term.

O teletrabalho mudou a dinâmica do mercado de trabalho global.

A reportagem de hoje fala sobre a inclusão de pessoas com deficiência no mercado de trabalho.

Muitos profissionais estão migrando para o exterior em busca de um mercado de trabalho melhor.

Social media platforms like LinkedIn are essentially the digital manifestation of the mercado de trabalho. In Portuguese-speaking regions, LinkedIn influencers often post about 'tendências do mercado de trabalho para 2024' or 'como o mercado de trabalho vê o seu currículo'. Here, the word takes on a slightly more personal tone, representing the audience of recruiters and hiring managers that a professional must impress.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning mercado de trabalho is trying to translate 'job market' too literally or using the wrong gender. While 'trabalho' is 'work/job', you cannot simply say 'job mercado' or 'trabalho mercado'. The word order is fixed: 'mercado' (noun) followed by 'de trabalho' (modifying phrase). Another common error is using 'no' incorrectly; remember it is 'no mercado' (in the market), not 'em mercado'.

Gender Confusion
Mistake: 'A mercado de trabalho'. Correct: 'O mercado de trabalho'. 'Mercado' is masculine.
Literal Translation
Mistake: 'Mercado de emprego'. While understandable, 'mercado de trabalho' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Pluralization
Mistake: 'Mercados de trabalhos'. Correct: 'Mercados de trabalho' (if you must pluralize, though it's rare).

Another subtle mistake is confusing 'mercado de trabalho' with 'local de trabalho' (workplace). If you want to say 'My workplace is very nice,' you say 'Meu local de trabalho é muito bom.' If you say 'Meu mercado de trabalho é muito bom,' you are making a general statement about the entire industry you work in, which might not be what you intended. The 'mercado' is the abstract system; the 'local' is the physical or specific desk where you sit.

Errado: Eu gosto da mercado de trabalho aqui. Correto: Eu gosto do mercado de trabalho daqui.

Errado: O mercado de emprego está bom. Correto: O mercado de trabalho está bom.

Finally, learners sometimes forget to use the article 'o'. In English, we can say 'Job market trends are changing.' In Portuguese, you almost always need the article: 'As tendências do mercado de trabalho estão mudando.' Skipping the 'do' (de + o) makes the sentence sound unnatural and 'broken'. Always think of it as 'the' market of work.

While mercado de trabalho is the most common term, there are several alternatives depending on the level of formality or the specific aspect of employment you are discussing. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and better understand academic or professional texts.

Setor Laboral
This is a more formal, academic, or legal term. It is used in government reports or sociological studies. Example: 'O setor laboral enfrenta desafios estruturais.'
Mundo Corporativo
Refers specifically to the world of companies and business. It is narrower than 'mercado de trabalho', which includes public service and informal work.
Vida Profissional
Refers to an individual's career journey. 'Ele está em uma nova fase da sua vida profissional.'

Comparing these terms helps clarify when to use which. 'Mercado de trabalho' is about the system; 'vida profissional' is about the person. 'Mundo corporativo' is about the culture of big business. If you are talking about the laws that govern work, you might use 'legislação trabalhista' (labor legislation) instead of the market itself.

Comparison: Mercado de trabalho (Economy) vs. Carreira (Individual path).

Comparison: Mercado de trabalho (General) vs. Área de atuação (Specific field).

Another related term is 'população economicamente ativa' (economically active population), which is a statistical term used to describe the people who are actually in the mercado de trabalho. When discussing global trends, speakers often use 'mercado de trabalho global' to contrast with 'mercado de trabalho local' or 'nacional'. Understanding these pairings allows for more complex and accurate descriptions of economic reality.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mɛʁ.ˈka.du dʒi tɾa.ˈba.ʎu/
US /meʁ.ˈka.du dɨ tɾɐ.ˈba.ʎu/
The primary stress in 'mercado' is on the 'ca' (mer-CA-do). The primary stress in 'trabalho' is on the 'ba' (tra-BA-lho).
Rhymes With
Cuidado (care) Passado (past) Recado (message) Agasalho (warm coat) Atalho (shortcut) Baralho (deck of cards) Orvalho (dew) Espalho (I spread)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'o' instead of 'u'.
  • Making the 'r' sound like an English 'r' (it should be more like a French 'r' or a light tap).
  • Forgetting the 'lh' sound, which is like the 'lli' in 'million'.
  • Pronouncing 'de' as 'day' instead of 'djee' (Brazil) or 'duh' (Portugal).
  • Stress on the wrong syllable (e.g., MER-ca-do).
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Examples by Level

1

O mercado de trabalho é importante.

The job market is important.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

2

Eu quero entrar no mercado de trabalho.

I want to enter the job market.

Use of 'no' (em + o) with 'entrar'.

3

Há muitos empregos no mercado de trabalho.

There are many jobs in the job market.

Use of 'Há' for existence.

4

O mercado de trabalho de hoje é diferente.

The job market of today is different.

Using 'de hoje' as an adjective phrase.

5

Ela estuda para o mercado de trabalho.

She studies for the job market.

Preposition 'para' indicating purpose.

6

O mercado de trabalho é grande no Brasil.

The job market is big in Brazil.

Proper noun 'Brasil' with the article 'no'.

7

Meu pai conhece o mercado de trabalho.

My father knows the job market.

Verb 'conhecer' for being familiar with something.

8

O mercado de trabalho precisa de pessoas.

The job market needs people.

Verb 'precisar' always takes the preposition 'de'.

1

É difícil encontrar o primeiro emprego no mercado de trabalho.

It is difficult to find the first job in the job market.

Impersonal 'É difícil' + infinitive.

2

O mercado de trabalho está muito competitivo agora.

The job market is very competitive now.

Adverb 'muito' modifying the adjective 'competitivo'.

3

Você conhece as regras do mercado de trabalho?

Do you know the rules of the job market?

Contraction 'do' (de + o).

4

O mercado de trabalho exige experiência.

The job market requires experience.

Third-person singular conjugation of 'exigir'.

5

Eles estão fora do mercado de trabalho há meses.

They have been out of the job market for months.

'Há' used for time duration.

6

O governo quer melhorar o mercado de trabalho.

The government wants to improve the job market.

Infinitive 'melhorar' after the verb 'querer'.

7

Existem novas vagas no mercado de trabalho de TI.

There are new openings in the IT job market.

Specific sector 'de TI' (Information Technology).

8

O mercado de trabalho mudou muito nos últimos anos.

The job market changed a lot in the last years.

Past tense 'mudou' and plural 'nos últimos anos'.

1

A qualificação profissional é a chave para o mercado de trabalho.

Professional qualification is the key to the job market.

Noun 'chave' used metaphorically.

2

O mercado de trabalho atual valoriza as habilidades interpessoais.

The current job market values interpersonal skills.

Adjective 'atual' placed after the noun.

3

Muitas empresas estão saindo do mercado de trabalho tradicional.

Many companies are leaving the traditional job market.

Present continuous 'estão saindo'.

4

Como se destacar em um mercado de trabalho saturado?

How to stand out in a saturated job market?

Reflexive verb 'destacar-se'.

5

O mercado de trabalho exige que os profissionais sejam flexíveis.

The job market requires that professionals be flexible.

Subjunctive mood 'sejam' after 'exige que'.

6

A instabilidade econômica afeta diretamente o mercado de trabalho.

Economic instability directly affects the job market.

Adverb 'diretamente' ending in -mente.

7

Estamos analisando as novas tendências do mercado de trabalho.

We are analyzing the new trends of the job market.

Gerund 'analisando'.

8

O mercado de trabalho para jovens é um desafio constante.

The job market for young people is a constant challenge.

Preposition 'para' indicating a specific demographic.

1

A digitalização da economia transformou o mercado de trabalho global.

The digitalization of the economy transformed the global job market.

Abstract noun 'digitalização' as the subject.

2

É necessário adaptar as leis ao novo mercado de trabalho.

It is necessary to adapt the laws to the new job market.

Infinitive 'adaptar' with the preposition 'a'.

3

O mercado de trabalho está aquecido no setor de energias renováveis.

The job market is hot in the renewable energy sector.

Idiomatic use of 'aquecido'.

4

A desigualdade salarial ainda é um problema no mercado de trabalho.

Wage inequality is still a problem in the job market.

Compound noun 'desigualdade salarial'.

5

Muitos profissionais optam pelo empreendedorismo devido ao mercado de trabalho instável.

Many professionals opt for entrepreneurship due to the unstable job market.

Use of 'devido ao' to indicate cause.

6

O mercado de trabalho exige uma constante atualização de conhecimentos.

The job market requires a constant updating of knowledge.

Noun 'atualização' followed by 'de conhecimentos'.

7

A automação pode extinguir diversos cargos no mercado de trabalho.

Automation can extinguish various positions in the job market.

Modal verb 'pode' followed by 'extinguir'.

8

O mercado de trabalho reflete as mudanças sociais de uma nação.

The job market reflects the social changes of a nation.

Verb 'refletir' in the third person singular.

1

A precarização das relações no mercado de trabalho é uma preocupação crescente.

The precariousness of relationships in the job market is a growing concern.

Complex noun phrase 'precarização das relações'.

2

O mercado de trabalho contemporâneo exige resiliência e adaptabilidade.

The contemporary job market demands resilience and adaptability.

Formal adjective 'contemporâneo'.

3

As flutuações cíclicas da economia impactam a oferta no mercado de trabalho.

The cyclical fluctuations of the economy impact the supply in the job market.

Technical terms 'flutuações cíclicas' and 'oferta'.

4

É imperativo que haja políticas públicas para fomentar o mercado de trabalho.

It is imperative that there be public policies to foster the job market.

Subjunctive 'haja' after the impersonal 'É imperativo que'.

5

O mercado de trabalho tornou-se um ambiente de constante vigilância e métricas.

The job market has become an environment of constant surveillance and metrics.

Pronominal verb 'tornar-se' in the past.

6

A disparidade de gênero no mercado de trabalho é um entrave ao desenvolvimento.

Gender disparity in the job market is an obstacle to development.

Formal noun 'entrave'.

7

Analisar o mercado de trabalho requer uma visão multidimensional dos fatos.

Analyzing the job market requires a multidimensional view of the facts.

Infinitive as a subject 'Analisar'.

8

O mercado de trabalho absorve rapidamente as inovações tecnológicas disruptivas.

The job market quickly absorbs disruptive technological innovations.

Adjective 'disruptivas' agreeing with 'inovações'.

1

A onipresença da inteligência artificial está reconfigurando a ontologia do mercado de trabalho.

The omnipresence of artificial intelligence is reconfiguring the ontology of the job market.

Highly academic term 'ontologia'.

2

O mercado de trabalho atua como um barômetro das tensões geopolíticas globais.

The job market acts as a barometer of global geopolitical tensions.

Metaphorical use of 'barômetro'.

3

Observa-se uma crescente dicotomia entre o mercado de trabalho formal e o informal.

A growing dichotomy is observed between the formal and informal job market.

Passive voice with 'se' (Observa-se).

4

A volatilidade do mercado de trabalho exige uma reavaliação dos paradigmas educacionais.

The volatility of the job market requires a reassessment of educational paradigms.

Formal noun 'volatilidade'.

5

O mercado de trabalho não é meramente um espaço de trocas econômicas, mas de construção identitária.

The job market is not merely a space for economic exchange, but for identity construction.

Correlative conjunction 'não meramente... mas'.

6

As nuances do mercado de trabalho lusófono variam significativamente entre os continentes.

The nuances of the Lusophone job market vary significantly between continents.

Adjective 'lusófono' (Portuguese-speaking).

7

A hegemonia de certas competências no mercado de trabalho pode marginalizar grupos vulneráveis.

The hegemony of certain skills in the job market can marginalize vulnerable groups.

Formal noun 'hegemonia'.

8

O mercado de trabalho é intrinsecamente ligado à sustentabilidade do contrato social.

The job market is intrinsically linked to the sustainability of the social contract.

Adverb 'intrinsecamente'.

Common Collocations

Entrar no mercado de trabalho
Mercado de trabalho competitivo
Mercado de trabalho aquecido
Exigências do mercado de trabalho
Tendências do mercado de trabalho
Mercado de trabalho informal
Inserção no mercado de trabalho
Mercado de trabalho global
Sair do mercado de trabalho
Mercado de trabalho saturado

Common Phrases

Primeiro emprego

— First job, often the entry point into the market.

Conseguir o primeiro emprego é um marco importante.

Vaga de trabalho

— Job opening or vacancy.

Vi uma vaga de trabalho perfeita para você.

Mão de obra

— Workforce or labor power.

O país precisa de mão de obra qualificada.

Carteira assinada

— Formal employment (Brazil specific).

Ele finalmente conseguiu um emprego de carteira assinada.

Plano de carreira

— Career plan within the market.

A empresa oferece um bom plano de carreira.

Currículo vitae

— Resume, the ticket to the job market.

Mande seu currículo para o RH.

Entrevista de emprego

— Job interview.

Tenho uma entrevista de emprego amanhã.

Recursos humanos

— Human resources, the gatekeepers of the market.

Fale com o departamento de recursos humanos.

Seguro-desemprego

— Unemployment insurance.

Ele está recebendo o seguro-desemprego.

Jornada de trabalho

— Working hours/shift.

A jornada de trabalho é de 40 horas semanais.

Idioms & Expressions

"Vestir a camisa"

— To be very dedicated to a company or job.

Ele realmente veste a camisa da empresa.

Informal/Professional
"Pôr a mão na massa"

— To get to work or take action.

Precisamos pôr a mão na massa para terminar o projeto.

Informal
"Estar com a corda no pescoço"

— To be in a very difficult financial or professional situation.

Com o mercado assim, ele está com a corda no pescoço.

Informal
"Dar o sangue"

— To work extremely hard, give one's all.

Ela dá o sangue pelo seu trabalho.

Informal
"Quebrar o galho"

— To do a temporary or improvised job to solve a problem.

Este emprego é só para quebrar o galho por enquanto.

Slang/Informal
"Fazer bico"

— To do small side jobs for extra money.

Ele faz bico de motorista nos finais de semana.

Informal
"Entrar pelo cano"

— To fail or get into trouble (often in a job context).

Se ele não entregar o relatório, vai entrar pelo cano.

Slang
"Puxar o tapete"

— To sabotage someone at work (to pull the rug).

Cuidado com colegas que querem puxar o seu tapete.

Informal
"Falar a mesma língua"

— To be in agreement or have the same professional vision.

É bom trabalhar com pessoas que falam a mesma língua.

Neutral
"Estar no olho do furacão"

— To be in the middle of a crisis or intense activity.

O setor bancário está no olho do furacão no mercado atual.

Informal

Word Family

Nouns

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