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illegal market

[/ɪˈliːɡəl ˈmɑːrkɪt/]
nounpl: illegal markets
mercado ilegal
1. A market or commercial activity that operates outside the law, involving the buying and selling of illegal goods or services
The police cracked down on the illegal market for counterfeit goods.
A polícia fez uma operação contra o mercado ilegal de produtos falsificados.
2. Underground economy; shadow market involving prohibited or unregistered commercial transactions
Weapons trafficking is a major concern in the illegal market.
O tráfico de armas é uma grande preocupação no mercado ilegal.
NYC Slang
black market; the streets
Synonyms
black marketunderground marketshadow marketillicit market
Antonyms
legal marketlegitimate marketformal marketregulated market

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
mercado ilegal
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
mercado clandestino
Alternative used in Rio and surrounding regions
São Paulo
mercado negro
Frequently used in São Paulo commercial contexts
Portugal
mercado ilegal
Standard usage in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

operate in the illegal market
crack down on illegal markets
underground economy
off the books
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