subsistence
[/səbˈsɪstəns/]
nounpl: subsistences
subsistência
1. the state of being alive or in existence; survival
The refugees struggled for subsistence in the refugee camp.
Os refugiados lutavam pela subsistência no acampamento de refugiados.
2. the minimum level of income or resources needed to maintain life
They lived at subsistence level, earning just enough to survive.
Viviam no nível de subsistência, ganhando apenas o suficiente para sobreviver.
3. food and other necessities required to stay alive
The farm provides subsistence for the entire family.
A fazenda fornece subsistência para toda a família.
The term 'subsistence' is particularly relevant in discussions of poverty and development in Brazil, where many rural communities practice subsistence farming (agricultura de subsistência). In the USA, it's commonly used in legal contexts regarding subsistence payments and welfare benefits. The word carries social implications in both cultures, often associated with minimal living standards and economic vulnerability.
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