trades

[/treɪdz/]
noun/verb
ofícios, profissões; comércios; trocas
1. Plural of trade: skilled occupations or crafts requiring manual or technical work
He learned several trades during his apprenticeship.
Ele aprendeu vários ofícios durante seu aprendizado.
2. Business activities involving the exchange of goods and services
The company deals in international trades.
A empresa atua no comércio internacional.
3. Third person singular present tense of 'trade': to exchange one thing for another
She trades stocks on the stock market.
Ela negocia ações na bolsa de valores.
4. People engaged in a particular occupation or craft
The trades include carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work.
Os ofícios incluem carpintaria, encanamento e trabalho elétrico.
In both Brazilian and American English, 'the trades' often refers to skilled manual labor professions (plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, HVAC) that are essential to society. These careers have gained renewed cultural respect and economic value, especially in the US where trade schools are seen as viable alternatives to traditional four-year universities.
NYC Slang
gigs, hustle (informal reference to multiple occupations or income sources)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
professionsoccupationscraftsexchangesdealings
Antonyms / Antônimos
professions (when referring to white-collar work)arts

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ofícios, profissões, negócios
Standard usage in formal and informal contexts
Rio de Janeiro
ofícios, trampos (informal)
Colloquial use of 'trampos' for trades/jobs
São Paulo
profissões, negociações
More formal usage, especially in commercial contexts
Portugal
profissões, ofícios, comércios
Similar to Brazilian Portuguese but with slightly different commercial terminology

Related Words

tradesmantradercraftexchangecommerceoccupation

Related Idioms & Phrases

jack of all trades - skilled in many different areas
trade places - to exchange positions
trade-off - a balance between two desirable but mutually exclusive things
know the tricks of the trade - understand the secrets of a profession
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