sporadic work

[spəˈrædɪk wɜrk]
nounpl: sporadic work / sporadic works
trabalho esporádico
1. Employment or labor that occurs irregularly, inconsistently, or at unpredictable intervals rather than on a continuous or regular schedule
She takes on sporadic work as a freelance translator to supplement her income.
Ela realiza trabalho esporádico como tradutora freelancer para complementar sua renda.
2. Temporary or occasional jobs without stable employment contracts or guaranteed hours
Many gig economy participants rely on sporadic work through apps and platforms.
Muitos participantes da economia de plataforma dependem de trabalho esporádico através de aplicativos.
3. Work that is done infrequently or in scattered instances over time
His sporadic work in construction meant his income was unpredictable each month.
Seu trabalho esporádico na construção civil significava que sua renda era imprevisível a cada mês.
In Brazil, sporadic work ('trabalho esporádico') is a significant part of the labor market, particularly in urban areas where informal economy is substantial. The term 'bico' is widely used colloquially in Rio de Janeiro and throughout Brazil to refer to these occasional jobs. In the USA, this has become increasingly relevant with the rise of the gig economy and platform-based work (Uber, TaskRabbit, etc.). Both cultures recognize this work pattern as economically necessary for many workers but also acknowledge its challenges regarding job security, benefits, and income stability.
NYC Slang
gig work / side hustle / under-the-table work
Synonyms / Sinônimos
irregular workintermittent workcasual workoccasional workgig worktemporary workpart-time work
Antonyms / Antônimos
steady workpermanent workfull-time employmentregular employmentcontinuous work

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
trabalho esporádico
Most common and formal term used in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
bico / trabalho esporádico
Colloquially 'bico' is used for occasional jobs or side gigs
São Paulo
trabalho esporádico / trabalho informal
Often associated with informal economy discussions
Portugal
trabalho esporádico / trabalho ocasional
Similar usage but may use 'ocasional' more frequently

Related Words

gig economyfreelancecontract worktemporary employmentseasonal workinformal economy

Related Idioms & Phrases

piece of work
earn on the side
odd job
make ends meet
work here and there
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