light work

[/laɪt wɜrk/]
noun
trabalho leve
1. A task or job that is not physically demanding or does not require much effort, skill, or concentration
After his surgery, the doctor told him to do only light work for the next two weeks.
Após sua cirurgia, o médico disse que ele deveria fazer apenas trabalho leve pelas próximas duas semanas.
2. Something that is easy to accomplish or not burdensome
Organizing the files is light work compared to rewriting the entire database.
Organizar os arquivos é trabalho leve comparado a reescrever todo o banco de dados.
3. Employment or tasks involving minimal physical or mental exertion
She took a light work position in the office while recovering from her injury.
Ela assumiu uma posição de trabalho leve no escritório enquanto se recuperava de sua lesão.
The term 'light work' is commonly used in Brazilian workplace contexts, particularly in medical and occupational settings when discussing work restrictions due to illness or injury recovery. It's also used colloquially to describe simple tasks. In the USA, this phrase is frequently used in employment and healthcare contexts, often specified by doctors as part of medical restrictions. Both cultures use it to indicate reduced workload demands.
NYC Slang
piece of cake, walk in the park, no sweat
Synonyms / Sinônimos
easy worksimple taskminimal efforteffortless workundemanding task
Antonyms / Antônimos
heavy workstrenuous workdemanding tasklaborious workdifficult work

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
trabalho leve
Standard term used throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
trabalho leve / serviço leve
Both terms are commonly used; 'serviço leve' is slightly more colloquial
São Paulo
trabalho leve
Preferred in formal and business contexts
Portugal
trabalho ligeiro / trabalho leve
'Trabalho ligeiro' is more traditional in European Portuguese; 'trabalho leve' is also understood

Related Words

light dutyeasy jobsimple workmanual laboroffice worksedentary work

Related Idioms & Phrases

child's play
a piece of cake
a walk in the park
no sweat
easy as pie
brincar de criança (Brazilian equivalent)
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