precário

Precário is a Portuguese adjective meaning precarious, unstable, insecure, or subject to sudden change. It can describe living conditions, resources, or work arrangements that lack long-term stability. The word is also used to indicate dependence on temporary arrangements or on the whim of others.

Etymology: The term derives from Latin precarius, meaning “obtained by prayer” or conditional, and by extension not guaranteed or durable. Through Latin and French precarie, the sense evolved in Portuguese to emphasize vulnerability and lack of durable guarantees in various contexts.

In labor and economics, precário is commonly applied to employment and the labor market. Phrases such as trabalho precário or precarização do trabalho refer to jobs characterized by short-term contracts, underemployment, low wages, irregular hours, and limited or no access to social protections and benefits. The concept is often linked to the rise of flexible or gig work, outsourcing, and subcontracting, and it is a focal point in debates about labor rights, wage adequacy, and social security reforms.

Regional usage and connotations: The term is widely used in Portugal and Brazil. In Portugal, precário frequently appears in discussions about housing, urban poverty, and social vulnerability, while in Brazil it is common in analyses of labor conditions and the precarização do trabalho. Across contexts, precário carries a negative valence, signaling instability and the need for stronger protections or reforms. Synonyms include instável, inseguro, and incerto; antonyms include estável and seguro.