personal errand

[ˈpɜːrsənəl ˈɛrənd]
nounpl: personal errands
recado pessoal
1. A short trip or task undertaken for one's own private purposes, not related to work or official business
I need to leave early today to run a personal errand.
Preciso sair mais cedo hoje para fazer um recado pessoal.
2. A minor personal task or chore that requires going somewhere
She went out on a personal errand to the bank and the pharmacy.
Ela saiu para fazer recados pessoais no banco e na farmácia.
In Brazilian workplaces, 'recados pessoais' are generally understood as legitimate reasons for brief absences. The concept reflects a balance between professional responsibilities and personal life. In Portugal, similar considerations apply but may be more formally structured through official leave policies. In the USA, this phrase is commonly used in both professional and casual contexts to justify temporary absences without disclosing specific details.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
personal taskprivate errandpersonal chorepersonal business
Antonyms / Antônimos
work taskofficial businessprofessional duty

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
recado pessoal
Most common and formal usage
General Brazilian
compromisso pessoal
Alternative usage when referring to personal appointments or commitments
Rio de Janeiro
recado
Often shortened, context-dependent
Portugal
recado pessoal
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; also 'assunto pessoal' is used

Related Words

errandtaskchoreappointmentpersonal businessprivate matter

Related Idioms & Phrases

run an errand
have personal business to attend to
step out for a moment
take care of personal matters
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