pegar leve
to go easy
حرفيًا: to catch light / to take light
Use `pegar leve` whenever you want to lower the intensity, whether in a workout or a heated argument.
في 15 ثانية
- Used to ask someone to be less intense or harsh.
- Equivalent to 'go easy' or 'take it down a notch'.
- Works for physical exercise, dieting, or social interactions.
المعنى
It means to take it easy, be less harsh, or lower the intensity of something. It is what you say when someone is being too strict, working too hard, or exercising too intensely.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6At the gym with a trainer
Pega leve hoje, professor, estou muito cansado!
Go easy today, coach, I am very tired!
A boss being too critical
O chefe podia pegar leve na crítica, né?
The boss could go easy on the criticism, right?
Texting a friend who is teasing you
Pega leve! Eu só cometi um erro bobo.
Go easy! I only made a silly mistake.
خلفية ثقافية
This phrase embodies the Brazilian 'jeitinho' of keeping things smooth and avoiding unnecessary conflict. It likely evolved from weightlifting or manual labor contexts where 'taking it light' prevented injury. Today, it is a cornerstone of the relaxed, social Brazilian identity.
The Opposite Phrase
The direct opposite is `pegar pesado`. Use it when someone is being too mean or when a workout is incredibly intense.
The 'Com' Rule
Remember to use `com` if you are talking about a person. `Pega leve COMIGO` (Go easy on me) is much more natural than just saying the phrase alone.
في 15 ثانية
- Used to ask someone to be less intense or harsh.
- Equivalent to 'go easy' or 'take it down a notch'.
- Works for physical exercise, dieting, or social interactions.
What It Means
Pegar leve is your go-to phrase for de-escalation. It literally means 'to take light.' Think of it as the opposite of being heavy-handed. You use it when someone is pushing too hard. It applies to physical effort, emotional reactions, or even food. It is a plea for gentleness and moderation. It is the verbal equivalent of a deep breath.
How To Use It
You use it like a regular verb. You can say pega leve as a command. Or you can say eu vou pegar leve to describe your own actions. It usually takes the preposition com when referring to a person. For example: pega leve com ele. He is having a bad day. It is very flexible in Portuguese conversation. You will hear it in gyms and offices alike.
When To Use It
Use it when your friend is teasing you too much. Use it at the gym when the trainer is a beast. It works perfectly when you are eating after a stomach ache. 'I need to pegar leve with the spicy food today.' It is great for managing expectations in a new relationship too. It signals that you want to move slowly. It is a very 'chill' expression for everyday life.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in highly formal legal or military settings. You wouldn't tell a judge to pegar leve during a hearing. That might end poorly for you. Do not use it for serious safety warnings. If a bridge is collapsing, 'pegar leve' is too casual. It is also not for deep grief or tragedies. In those cases, use more formal words for 'compassion.' Keep it for social, physical, or work pressure.
Cultural Background
Brazilians generally value 'jogo de cintura' or flexibility. Being 'pesado' (heavy) or too intense is often seen as socially aggressive. Pegar leve reflects the cultural desire for harmony and relaxation. It is part of the 'deixa disso' (let it go) attitude. It rose to popularity in the 80s and 90s. Now, it is a staple of the national vocabulary. It captures the laid-back spirit of beach culture.
Common Variations
You might hear pegar mais leve to mean 'take it even easier.' Some people use ir de leve for physical movements or drinking. In some regions, you might hear maneirar. But pegar leve remains the undisputed king of this sentiment. It is understood from the north to the south. It is the ultimate 'cool down' phrase for any situation.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is highly versatile and safe for most social situations. Just be careful with the preposition 'com' when referring to people, and remember it's primarily an informal expression.
The Opposite Phrase
The direct opposite is `pegar pesado`. Use it when someone is being too mean or when a workout is incredibly intense.
The 'Com' Rule
Remember to use `com` if you are talking about a person. `Pega leve COMIGO` (Go easy on me) is much more natural than just saying the phrase alone.
Don't be too literal
If you are literally picking up a light object, just say `é leve`. `Pegar leve` is almost always used for intensity or behavior, not physical weight.
أمثلة
6Pega leve hoje, professor, estou muito cansado!
Go easy today, coach, I am very tired!
A very common way to ask for a lighter workout.
O chefe podia pegar leve na crítica, né?
The boss could go easy on the criticism, right?
Used to vent with colleagues about a harsh manager.
Pega leve! Eu só cometi um erro bobo.
Go easy! I only made a silly mistake.
Used to stop a friend from making fun of you too much.
Vou pegar leve no jantar, minha barriga ainda dói.
I'm going to go easy at dinner, my stomach still hurts.
Refers to eating light or bland food.
Pega leve com ele, ele ainda é uma criança.
Go easy on him, he is still a child.
An emotional appeal for more gentleness.
Nossa, peguei leve demais ou peguei pesado?
Wow, did I go too easy or was I too heavy?
A humorous way to check if a joke landed well.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct form to tell your friend to stop being so mean.
Amigo, ___ leve comigo, eu estou triste hoje.
You use the imperative 'pega' when giving a friendly command or suggestion.
How do you say you will exercise gently?
Hoje eu vou ___ leve na academia.
After 'vou' (I will), you use the infinitive form 'pegar'.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Pegar Leve'
Very street-level
Maneira aí, parça!
Friends and family (Perfect fit)
Pega leve, cara!
Coworkers you know well
Vamos pegar leve nesse projeto.
Courtrooms or ceremonies
Solicito clemência.
When to 'Pegar Leve'
Dieting
Eating a salad instead of a burger.
Gym
Lifting lighter weights today.
Arguments
Stopping a heated debate.
Work
Not overworking on a Friday.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt means to reduce intensity or be less strict. You use it like 'go easy' in English, such as Pega leve no sal (Go easy on the salt).
It depends on your relationship. In a relaxed Brazilian office, it's fine, but in a very hierarchical company, it might sound too casual.
Yes! If you want to eat something light or healthy, you say Vou pegar leve hoje.
The opposite is pegar pesado, which means to be very harsh or to do something with great intensity.
Yes, it is understood in Portugal, though they might also use ir com calma or ter calma more frequently.
Absolutely. You can say Pega leve no acelerador! to tell them to slow down.
The verb conjugates normally. For a group, you'd say Peguem leve, pessoal! (Go easy, guys!).
It's more of a common collocation or idiom. It's very informal but not considered 'dirty' or 'street' slang.
You just conjugate 'pegar'. For example: Ele pegou leve comigo ontem (He went easy on me yesterday).
Yes, it's very common. Vou pegar leve na cerveja means you won't drink too much.
عبارات ذات صلة
pegar pesado
to go hard / to be harsh
ir com calma
to take it slow
dar um tempo
to give it a break
maneirar
to moderate / to tone it down
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