Mendigo vs. pedinte
When synonymous with "beggar", the words mendigo and pedinte are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct nuances. Mendigo refers primarily to the social condition and lifestyle of homelessness, while pedinte focuses specifically on the action of asking for money or help.
Mendigo
B1This word describes a person living in extreme poverty, usually homeless and living on the streets. It focuses on the individual's lack of resources and housing rather than just the act of begging.
O mendigo dormia no banco da praça todas as noites.
(The beggar slept on the park bench every night.)
Durante o inverno, a cidade oferece abrigo para cada mendigo.
(During winter, the city offers shelter for every homeless person.)
Ele se tornou um mendigo após perder o emprego e a casa.
(He became a beggar after losing his job and his house.)
As roupas do mendigo estavam velhas e rasgadas.
(The beggar's clothes were old and torn.)
Pedinte
B2Derived from the verb pedir (to ask), this word refers to someone who actively approaches others to ask for alms, money, or food. A pedinte is defined by the act of soliciting regardless of where they sleep.
Um pedinte abordou os turistas perto da igreja.
(A panhandler approached the tourists near the church.)
Havia vários pedintes no semáforo pedindo moedas.
(There were several beggars at the traffic light asking for coins.)
Ela deu um sanduíche para o pedinte na entrada do metrô.
(She gave a sandwich to the beggar at the subway entrance.)
O número de pedintes aumenta perto das datas festivas.
(The number of beggars increases near the holidays.)
Summary
In short, mendigo is a label for someone who lives on the street and is destitute (condition), while pedinte is a label for someone who is actively asking for charity (action). While most mendigos are also pedintes, a pedinte is strictly defined by the act of asking.