pegar pesado

You use it like a regular verb phrase. The verb pegar conjugates normally. You can use it to complain about a boss. You can use it to praise a friend's dedication. It often appears with the preposition com when directed at someone. For example, Não pegue pesado com ele means 'Don't be too hard on him.' It is simple, punchy, and very common.

Use it when your friend makes a joke that's a bit too mean. Use it when your trainer gives you 100 burpees. It fits perfectly in a meeting if the goals are unrealistic. It’s great for texting when someone sends a spicy roast. Use it at a restaurant if the chef put too much pepper. It’s the go-to phrase for any 'too much' moment.

Avoid using this in extremely formal legal documents. Don't use it to describe physical weight, like a heavy box. For a heavy box, just say é pesado. It’s not for literal lifting, but for the 'vibe' of the effort. Also, don't use it for positive 'intensity' in a romantic way. That might get awkward fast. Keep it to effort, criticism, or general exaggeration.

Brazilians are generally very social and avoid direct confrontation. Using pegar pesado is a way to call out bad behavior without being overly aggressive. It’s a linguistic 'yellow card.' It reflects the Brazilian gym culture too. You’ll hear it in every 'Academia' from Rio to São Paulo. It’s a bridge between physical labor and social interaction.

You might hear pesou a mão, which means 'heavy-handed.' This is specifically for cooking or physical force. There is also pegar leve, which is the exact opposite. If someone is stressed, you tell them to pegar leve. Both are essential for your daily Portuguese survival kit. They help you navigate the highs and lows of Brazilian intensity.