Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To use as travel provisions, to spend during travel: Refers to consuming or utilizing supplies (typically food or money) specifically for sustenance or expenses incurred while on a journey.
   • To cover travel needs: Means to provide for the necessities during a trip.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Mẹ gói xôi cho con ăn đường. (Mother packed sticky rice for me to eat on the road / to use as travel provisions.)
  • Anh ấy để dành một khoản tiền nhỏ để ăn đường. (He saved a small amount of money for travel expenses / to spend during the trip.)
  • Chúng tôi mang theo bánh mì ăn đường. (We brought bread for the journey / to consume while traveling.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in the context of preparing for or being on a traditional, often long-distance, journey where bringing one's own provisions was common.
• It can imply a sense of frugality or careful planning for travel needs.

Variants and Related Words

• Tiền ăn đường (noun phrase): Travel money, travel allowance, funds specifically allocated for expenses during a trip.
  • Công ty cấp tiền ăn đường cho nhân viên đi công tác. (The company provides a travel allowance for employees on business trips.)
• Chi phí ăn đường (noun phrase): Traveling expenses, costs related to sustenance during travel.

Synonyms

• Dùng dọc đường: To use along the way.
• Chi tiêu khi đi đường: To spend while traveling.

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning revolves around the concept of resources (food, money) allocated for consumption . It does not typically refer to the cost of the transportation ticket itself.
• While historically associated with physical food ("ăn" means "to eat"), in modern usage, "ăn đường" often refers more broadly to monetary travel expenses, especially in phrases like "tiền ăn đường".

1. To use as travel provisions, to spend during travel
   • đem gạo đi ăn đường
     to bring rice as travel provisions
   • tiền ăn đường, chi phí đi đường
     travelling expenses