Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To eat at someone's expense without invitation; to scrounge a meal: The primary meaning describes the act of eating food at someone's home or event without being an invited guest, often implying taking advantage of another's hospitality.
   • To freeload; to mooch: A more general sense meaning to habitually rely on others for food, drink, or resources without offering anything in return.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Hắn ta nổi tiếng là kẻ hay ăn chực. (He is famous for being a person who often scrounges meals.)
  • Đừng có thói ăn chực nơi nhà người khác. (Don't develop the habit of eating at other people's homes uninvited.)
  • Bữa tiệc đông quá, chắc có vài người ăn chực. (The party was too crowded; there were probably some people freeloading.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a strong negative connotation of shame, laziness, or social impropriety. It criticizes a person for lacking self-reliance or manners.
• It can be used metaphorically beyond food to describe taking advantage of any situation for personal benefit without contribution.

Variants and Related Words

• Ăn bám (verb phrase): to live off someone; to be a dependent. This implies a more permanent, parasitic relationship compared to the occasional act of "ăn chực."
• Ăn không ngồi rồi (idiom): to eat in idleness; to be idle and unproductive.

Synonyms

• To scrounge: to obtain something, especially food or money, by begging or borrowing without intent to repay.
• To freeload: to take advantage of others' generosity without giving anything in return.
• To mooch: to ask for or obtain something without paying for it.

Related Idioms

• Ăn chực nằm chờ: to scrounge for food and wait around. This idiom intensifies the meaning, depicting someone who constantly loiters or waits for opportunities to get free meals or benefits.
  • Hắn suốt ngày ăn chực nằm chờ ở quán cà phê của ông ấy. (He spends all day loitering and scrounging at his coffee shop.)