Breakdown of Ele é preguiçoso e não mexe uma palha no trabalho doméstico.
ser
to be
e
and
não
not / no
ele
he
um
a / an / some (all forms)
no
in the / on the / at the (m, f, pl forms: na, nos, nas)
o trabalho
the work / the job
preguiçoso
lazy
mexer
to stir
doméstico
domestic
a palha
the straw
Questions & Answers about Ele é preguiçoso e não mexe uma palha no trabalho doméstico.
What is the literal translation of não mexe uma palha?
Literally, it means "does not move a straw". It is the common Portuguese equivalent of the English idiom "does not lift a finger" and perfectly captures the idea of making absolutely zero effort to help.
How could we apply this lesson's topic, nem sequer (not even), to this sentence?
Why do we use no before trabalho doméstico instead of com (with)?
The idiom mexer uma palha generally pairs with the preposition em (which combines with o to make no) to indicate the area or situation where no effort is made. While English speakers often say they don't help "with" the housework, in Portuguese you don't move a straw "in" it.
Could I say tarefas domésticas instead of trabalho doméstico?
Yes, both are perfectly natural and interchangeable here. Trabalho doméstico refers to the broader concept of "housework," while tarefas domésticas translates directly to "household chores." If you use the plural chores, just remember to change the preposition to match: nas tarefas domésticas.
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