chegadochegada

Chegadochegada is a neologism that has emerged in online culture to describe a pattern of brief, high-contrast appearances at social events or online gatherings. The behavior is typically marked by a late arrival, a short stay, and an early departure, often accompanied by minimal interaction beyond a quick acknowledgement or a single post. In memes and commentary, chegadochegada is used to humorously critique or observe modern social rhythms—where schedules are crowded and lasting engagements feel optional.

Origin and use of the term are informal and spread mainly through social media, forums, and meme communities. It is not tied to a single language or culture, though it borrows from romance-language ideas of arrival and departure, and it is often deployed in Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking online spaces as well as globally. The concept is used descriptively to label a behavior, and sometimes playfully to highlight the awkward balance between wanting to participate and conserving energy or time.

In practice, a chegadochegada moment might involve arriving at an event with a rapid acknowledgment, posting a brief update or photo, and leaving before the conversation deepens. The term can function as social commentary, a lens for humor, or a shorthand for discussing modern constraints on social life. Related concepts in online discourse include ghosting, fleeting participation, and micro-moci attentes, though chegadochegada emphasizes the scheduled, time-limited nature of the visit.

See also: ghosting, fleeting participation, social fatigue.