broken work

[/ˈbroʊkən wɜrk/]
nounpl: broken works
trabalho fragmentado; trabalho interrompido; obra inacabada
1. Work that is incomplete, interrupted, or performed in disconnected segments rather than as a continuous process
The project suffered from broken work due to frequent staff absences.
O projeto sofreu com trabalho fragmentado devido às ausências frequentes de funcionários.
2. In craftsmanship and decorative arts, a technique involving deliberate fragmentation or discontinuous patterns
The artist created a broken work aesthetic using scattered brushstrokes.
O artista criou uma estética de obra fragmentada usando pinceladas espalhadas.
3. Employment characterized by irregular hours, temporary contracts, or discontinuous engagement
Many gig economy workers experience broken work arrangements.
Muitos trabalhadores da economia de bicos experienciam arranjos de trabalho fragmentado.
In Brazil, 'trabalho fragmentado' or 'bico' reflects the reality of informal labor markets and the gig economy that characterizes much of the workforce. In the USA and NYC, similar conditions are referred to as 'gig work' or 'hustle,' reflecting broader economic precarity in contemporary labor markets.
NYC Slang
gig work; hustle; side gigs
Synonyms / Sinônimos
interrupted workfragmented workdiscontinuous workpiecemeal workpartial work
Antonyms / Antônimos
continuous workuninterrupted workcompleted worksteady work

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
trabalho fragmentado; trabalho interrompido
Standard usage in business and labor contexts
Rio de Janeiro
bico quebrado; trabalho de bico
Colloquial term for irregular gig work
São Paulo
trabalho precarizado
Often used in discussions of precarious labor conditions
Portugal
trabalho fragmentado; obra inacabada
Similar usage but less common in labor discussions

Related Words

work interruptionfragmentationdiscontinuityincomplete projecttemporary employment

Related Idioms & Phrases

stop-and-start work
piecemeal labor
work in fits and starts
fragmented employment
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