minimum quota

[/ˈmɪnɪməm ˈkwoʊtə/]
nounpl: minimum quotas
cota mínima
1. The lowest amount, number, or percentage required to be achieved or allocated
The minimum quota for women in corporate boards was set at 30%.
A cota mínima para mulheres em conselhos corporativos foi estabelecida em 30%.
2. The smallest permissible share or allocation in a system of distribution or production
Each department must meet its minimum quota of sales targets.
Cada departamento deve atingir sua cota mínima de metas de vendas.
3. A legally or administratively established lower limit for representation or participation
The university has implemented a minimum quota for students from underrepresented groups.
A universidade implementou uma cota mínima para estudantes de grupos sub-representados.
In Brazil, the term 'cota mínima' is particularly significant in discussions of affirmative action policies in higher education and public sector employment. The concept gained prominence following the implementation of quota systems to increase representation of Afro-Brazilians and other underrepresented groups in universities. In the USA, 'minimum quota' appears in contexts related to trade regulations, employment law, and diversity initiatives, though the use of quotas remains more legally contentious than in Brazil.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
minimum requirementbaseline allocationfloor limitlower boundmandatory minimum
Antonyms / Antônimos
maximum quotaunlimited allocationceiling limit

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
cota mínima
Standard term used in legal, educational, and corporate contexts
Portugal
quota mínima
Slightly different spelling following European Portuguese conventions
São Paulo
cota mínima / limite mínimo
Both terms are commonly used in business and government contexts
General USA English
minimum quota
Used in affirmative action, employment, and trade regulations

Related Words

quota systemaffirmative actionallocationdistributionrepresentationbenchmark

Related Idioms & Phrases

meet the minimum quota
fall short of the minimum quota
exceed the minimum quota
set a minimum quota
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →