Marginais

Marginais is a Portuguese term that functions as both an adjective and a plural noun. It derives from marginal and is used to describe things related to the edge or periphery, as well as to designate people associated with those margins. As an adjective, marginal can refer to physical locations, such as áreas marginais (peripheral areas), or to aspects that are secondary or not central to a subject.

As a noun, marginais is commonly used in Brazilian Portuguese to refer to people who are perceived as living outside the mainstream of society. In everyday speech, it often denotes individuals associated with crime or delinquency, though it can also describe people experiencing poverty or social exclusion without implying criminal activity. The term is highly pejorative and its use can stigmatize groups or individuals, so more neutral terms such as marginalizados or marginalidade are preferred in academic or policy discussions.

In social science, marginalidade and marginalização describe processes by which individuals or groups become socially and economically pushed toward the margins. These concepts highlight links among poverty, unemployment, access to education and services, housing, and social exclusion, and they are used to analyze crime, urban development, and social policy.

In media and popular culture, marginais may be invoked to label a character type or to evoke a particular social stereotype. The meaning of the term can vary with context and tone, ranging from descriptive to stigmatizing.