free riders

[friː ˈraɪdərz]
nounpl: free riders
caronas gratuitas / aproveitadores / parasitas
1. People who benefit from a service, resource, or public good without paying for it or contributing to its cost
The subway system suffers from free riders who don't pay for their tickets.
O sistema de metrô sofre com as caronas gratuitas de pessoas que não pagam suas passagens.
2. In economic and social theory, individuals who exploit collective resources or group efforts without bearing their fair share of the burden
In group projects, free riders often let others do the work while they get the same credit.
Em projetos em grupo, os aproveitadores geralmente deixam outros fazerem o trabalho enquanto recebem o mesmo crédito.
3. People who enjoy benefits produced by a group without contributing to the costs or effort required
The free rider problem occurs when too many people try to benefit without paying their share.
O problema dos aproveitadores ocorre quando muitas pessoas tentam se beneficiar sem pagar sua parte.
The concept of 'free riders' is widely discussed in both American and Brazilian contexts, particularly in economics, sociology, and organizational behavior. In the US, it's commonly referenced in discussions about taxation, welfare systems, and corporate responsibility. In Brazil, the term 'carona' (free ride) is culturally significant and reflects concerns about fairness in shared resources and collective action problems in both formal and informal economies.
NYC Slang
moochers / freeloaders / scrubs (informal)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
freeloadersmoochersparasitesdeadweightslackersshirkers
Antonyms / Antônimos
contributorsparticipantsstakeholderspaying members

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
caronas gratuitas / aproveitadores
Most common usage in business and social contexts
Rio de Janeiro
malandros / espertinhos
Colloquial term emphasizing cunning behavior
São Paulo
aproveitadores / parasitas sociais
More formal business and academic usage
Portugal
passageiros clandestinos / aproveitadores
Portuguese equivalent, often used in economic discussions

Related Words

free rider problempublic goodcollective actionsocial loafingtragedy of the commonsexternality

Related Idioms & Phrases

ride on someone's coattails
get a free ride
mooch off someone
take advantage of the system
have a free lunch
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →