Definition

1. Verb:
   • To receive a salary / to be paid: The primary meaning of "ăn lương" is to receive regular monetary compensation, typically a monthly salary, for work performed. It implies being on a payroll.
   • To be a salaried employee: It describes the state of working for a salary, as opposed to being self-employed or working on a commission basis.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy làm cho một công ty tư nhân và ăn lương đều đặn. (He works for a private company and receives a regular salary.)
  • Những ngày nghỉ ốm đó, tôi không được ăn lương. (I did not get paid for those sick days.)
  • Cô ấy thích làm công ăn lương hơn là kinh doanh tự do. (She prefers being a salaried employee rather than being self-employed.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a connotation of stability and formal employment within a structured system.
  • Ăn lương nhà nước: to be a state salaried employee (to work for the government/public sector).

    • Bố tôi đã ăn lương nhà nước suốt 35 năm. (My father was a state salaried employee for 35 years.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lĩnh lương (v): to draw/receive one's salary. This is a more formal synonym for the act of collecting pay.
• Hưởng lương (v): to enjoy/receive a salary. Often used in official contexts regarding salary policies.

Synonyms

• To be on a salary: To receive fixed regular compensation.
• To draw a wage: To receive payment for labor.
• To be remunerated: To be paid for services.

Related Idioms and Common Phrases

• Làm công ăn lương: to work as a salaried employee.
  • Phần lớn mọi người trong thành phố đều làm công ăn lương. (Most people in the city work as salaried employees.)
• Nghỉ không ăn lương: to take unpaid leave.
  • Cô ấy xin nghỉ không ăn lương hai tháng để chăm sóc con. (She requested two months of unpaid leave to care for her child.)

verb

1. to receive one's salary
   • những ngày nghỉ ăn lương
     holidays with pay