livelihood

[/ˈlaɪvlihʊd/]
nounpl: livelihoods
meio de vida
1. a means of securing the necessities of life; a way of earning money to support oneself
Fishing has been the livelihood of this coastal community for generations.
A pesca tem sido o meio de vida desta comunidade costeira por gerações.
2. one's occupation or profession
She lost her livelihood when the factory closed down.
Ela perdeu seu meio de vida quando a fábrica fechou.
3. the necessities of life; sustenance
They struggled to earn a bare livelihood from their small farm.
Eles lutaram para ganhar um meio de vida miserável com sua pequena fazenda.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'meio de vida' is the standard formal term used in economic and social contexts. The concept is particularly relevant in discussions about rural communities, agriculture, and informal economy. In the USA, 'livelihood' carries social implications about dignity and self-sufficiency, often appearing in development and poverty alleviation discussions.
NYC Slang
hustle, grind, gig
Synonyms / Sinônimos
incomesubsistencesustenanceoccupationprofessiontradevocationemployment
Antonyms / Antônimos
unemploymentpovertydestitution

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
meio de vida
most common and standard term across Brazil
General Brazilian
sustento
also widely used, emphasizing subsistence and support
São Paulo
renda
sometimes used colloquially to refer to income source
Portugal
modo de vida
Portuguese preference; literal 'way of living'

Related Words

employmentwagessalaryincomeworkoccupationjob

Related Idioms & Phrases

earn one's livelihood
make a livelihood
livelihood strategies
sustainable livelihood
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