Literal translation
he is a work mule
Meaning
he's a hard worker
Explanation
The expression describes a tireless person, able to work relentlessly and without complaint. Literally, es un miòu de travai translates as he's a work mule: the mule, a pack animal known for its endurance, sturdiness, and steady willingness to labor hard across the Provençal countryside, serves here as a reference to physical stamina. The image draws on a very concrete rural and agricultural practice, where the beast of burden carried heavy loads over steep paths for entire days without flagging. Applied to a man or woman, it praises endurance and steady effort, without the derogatory shade found in other Provençal animal comparisons centered on foolishness. The register is familiar, often used with a touch of admiration or affection to name a relentless worker, matching the French bourreau de travail, though the underlying image differs clearly between the two languages.