demanding work

[/dɪˈmændɪŋ wɜːrk/]
noun phrase
trabalho exigente
1. work that requires great effort, skill, concentration, or emotional energy; labor that places high demands on a person's physical or mental resources
Software development is demanding work that requires constant problem-solving.
O desenvolvimento de software é um trabalho exigente que requer resolução constante de problemas.
2. employment or tasks that are challenging, stressful, or difficult to accomplish
Healthcare professionals undertake demanding work that can be physically and emotionally exhausting.
Profissionais de saúde realizam trabalho exigente que pode ser fisicamente e emocionalmente esgotante.
In both American and Brazilian cultures, 'demanding work' is commonly discussed in professional contexts as a measure of career prestige and personal achievement. In Brazil, there is often greater emphasis on work-life balance ('jogo-de-cintura'), whereas in the United States, demanding work is frequently associated with ambition and career advancement. The phrase reflects contemporary workplace dynamics where demanding roles are seen as both desirable (for growth) and challenging (for wellbeing).
NYC Slang
tough gig; grind; heavy lift
Synonyms / Sinônimos
challenging worktaxing workstrenuous workrigorous workarduous worklabor-intensive work
Antonyms / Antônimos
easy worklight worksimple workundemanding work

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
trabalho exigente
Standard translation used throughout Brazil
São Paulo
trabalho pesado / trabalho difícil
More colloquial usage; 'trabalho pesado' emphasizes physical or mental burden
Rio de Janeiro
trabalho de exigência / trabalho que cobra muito
Informal phrasing common in spoken Portuguese
Portugal
trabalho exigente / trabalho árduo
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; 'árduo' is slightly more formal

Related Words

hard worktough jobchallenging taskworkloadlaboreffortdedicationpressure

Related Idioms & Phrases

have one's work cut out for one
labor of love
blood, sweat, and tears
earn one's keep
work one's fingers to the bone
queimar as pestanas (Portuguese: to burn one's eyelashes - to work hard)
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