Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To celebrate (with a treat or feast): To mark a personal achievement, success, or honor (such as a promotion, graduation, or winning a prize) by hosting a small party or providing food and drinks for friends, colleagues, or family. It implies the person who achieved the milestone is the host or sponsor of the celebration.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Anh ấy vừa đỗ đại học nên phải ăn khao cả lớp. (He just got into university, so he has to treat the whole class to a celebration.)
  • Đội bóng thắng trận, tối nay ăn khao nhé! (The soccer team won the match; let's have a celebration feast tonight!)
  • Cô ấy được thăng chức, tuần sau cô ấy ăn khao công ty. (She got promoted; next week she's treating the company to a celebration.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a social expectation or gentle obligation. The person who experiences the good fortune is expected to "ăn khao" their peers.
• It is typically used for informal, personal milestones rather than large, formal public holidays or events.

Variants and Related Words

• Ăn mừng (v): to celebrate. This is a more general term for any celebration, while "ăn khao" specifically involves treating others due to personal success.
  • Họ tổ chức tiệc để ăn mừng năm mới. (They are throwing a party to celebrate the new year.)

Synonyms

• To treat (to a meal/celebration): To pay for food/drinks for others on a celebratory occasion.
• To celebrate (by hosting): To mark a happy event by being the host.

Related Idioms

• While "ăn khao" itself is a set phrase, it is conceptually related to the expectation of sharing one's good fortune, often summarized as (when you have happy news, you must treat people).