Puxado

Puxado is an adjective in Portuguese derived from the verb puxar, meaning to pull. It is used to describe both literal actions of pulling and figurative situations that require effort or present some degree of difficulty.

In its literal sense, puxado refers to something that has been pulled or drawn toward a direction. It can describe objects that have been moved by force, or things that are drawn, such as curtains or blinds: for example, a cortina está puxada (the curtain is drawn/closed) or a móvel foi puxado para a esquerda (the furniture was pulled to the left).

In everyday speech, puxado is commonly used figuratively to express difficulty or arduousness. A task, day, or activity can be described as puxado to convey that it is demanding, tiring, or time-consuming. Common phrases include vai ser puxado (it’s going to be tough) and foi um dia puxado (it was a long, exhausting day). The word thus signals that more effort, stamina, or resources are required.

Forms and usage notes: puxado agrees with the noun in gender and number (puxado/puxada, puxados/puxadas). It is widely understood in Brazilian Portuguese and also used in Portugal, though regional nuances may affect tone or emphasis. Related terms include puxar (to pull), puxada (a pulling action or a drawn state), and puxão (a tug or pull).

See also: puxar, puxada, puxado(a).