andar a mil

You use it just like a regular verb phrase. The verb andar changes based on who is busy. If it's you, say estou a mil or ando a mil. It works for people, companies, or even your brain. It’s perfect for when someone asks "How are you?" and you want to sound productive yet slightly overwhelmed. Use it to justify why you haven't replied to a text for three days.

Use it during a hectic work week. It’s great for the middle of a big project. Use it when you are preparing for a trip. It fits perfectly when talking to friends about your chaotic schedule. If you are running between the gym, the office, and a dinner date, you are a mil. It’s a very common, natural way to express being overwhelmed but active.

Don't use it to describe being physically fast in a race. That would be correr muito. Avoid it in very stiff, formal legal documents. It’s a bit too colorful for a funeral or a very somber event. If you are just 'kind of' busy, this might sound too dramatic. It implies a high level of intensity, so don't use it for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Portuguese speakers love intensity. We don't just do things; we do them with passion. The number '1,000' (mil) is the go-to number for exaggeration in Portuguese. It likely comes from the idea of engine RPMs or speedometers. It reflects the fast-paced urban life in cities like São Paulo or Lisbon. It’s a badge of honor for the hardworking professional.

You might hear estar a mil instead of andar a mil. They are almost identical. Andar suggests a continuous state over a few days. Estar feels more like right this second. Sometimes people say a mil por hora (at a thousand per hour). This adds even more speed to the image. It’s the difference between a fast car and a rocket ship.