Subsist on Meaning in English

expression

US

səbˈsɪst/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn

sub-SIST awn

UK

sʌbsˈɪst/ /ˈɒn

sub-SIST on

Definition

To manage to stay alive using only a very small or limited resource, usually food or money.

Usage & Nuances

Formal and slightly literary. Commonly used for difficult situations with little food, money, or resources. Often followed by a noun: 'subsist on bread', 'subsist on charity'. Avoid using for situations of comfort or abundance.

• Spanish: subsistir de - sobrevivir a base de
• Portuguese (BR): sobreviver de - subsistir de
• Portuguese (PT): sobreviver de - subsistir de
• Chinese (Simplified): 依靠...生存 - 仅靠...维持生活
• Chinese (Traditional): 依靠…生存 - 僅靠…維持生活
• Hindi: के सहारे जीना
• Arabic: يعيش على
• Bengali: সম্বল করে বাঁচা - নির্ভর করে টিকে থাকা
• Russian: выживать на - существовать на
• Japanese: ～で生き延びる - ～で暮らす
• Vietnamese: sống nhờ vào - tồn tại nhờ
• Korean: ~로 근근이 살아가다
• Turkish: geçinmek - hayatta kalmak (kıt kaynakla)
• Urdu: گزر بسر کرنا - گزر کرنا
• Indonesian: bertahan hidup dengan - hidup hanya dari

Example Sentences

Many poor families subsist on rice and beans.

basic

During the war, people had to subsist on very little food.

basic

Some animals subsist on only plants.

basic

He had to subsist on instant noodles for a whole month.

natural

I can’t believe they managed to subsist on just five dollars a week.

natural

Back then, artists often subsisted on the support of wealthy patrons.

natural