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informal market

[ɪnˈfɔːrməl ˈmɑːrkɪt]
nounpl: informal markets
mercado informal
1. Economic activity and trade that occurs outside official government regulation and taxation, typically involving small-scale vendors, street traders, and unregistered businesses
Many developing countries rely heavily on the informal market for employment and commerce.
Muitos países em desenvolvimento dependem muito do mercado informal para emprego e comércio.
2. A marketplace or trading area where goods are bought and sold without formal registration or licensing
She purchased handmade crafts from vendors in the informal market downtown.
Ela comprou artesanatos de vendedores no mercado informal do centro.
NYC Slang
street hustle, underground economy
Synonyms
underground marketblack marketunregistered marketstreet market
Antonyms
formal marketregulated marketofficial market

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
mercado informal
standard term used throughout Brazil
São Paulo
comércio informal
often used interchangeably with mercado informal
Portugal
mercado informal
same as Brazilian Portuguese, referring to unregulated economic activity

Related Idioms & Phrases

off the books
under the table
gray market
economy in the shadows
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