Definition

1. Verb:

   • To beg: To ask for money, food, or other necessities as charity, typically in public.
   • To plead for / to solicit: To humbly or desperately ask for help, favor, or something immaterial.

2. Noun:

   • Beggar: A person who lives by asking for charity.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Ông cụ phải ăn mày trên phố. (The old man has to beg on the street.)
  • Tôi không muốn ăn mày sự thương hại của anh. (I don't want to beg for your pity.)

• Noun:

  • Người ăn mày ngồi trước cửa chùa. (The beggar sat in front of the temple gate.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used metaphorically to describe someone who is in a position of dependence or who is desperately seeking something non-material, such as attention or approval.
  • Anh ta ăn mày cảm tình của đồng nghiệp. (He is begging for his colleagues' sympathy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ăn xin: A near-synonymous verb phrase meaning "to beg."
  • Họ đi ăn xin khắp nơi. (They go begging everywhere.)

Synonyms

• To beg: To ask for something as a gift or charity.
• Panhandler: (Noun, informal) A person who begs in public.
• Mendicant: (Noun, formal) A beggar.

Related Idioms

• Ăn mày đòi xôi gấc: Literally "a beggar who demands sticky rice with gấc fruit." It is equivalent to the English idiom "Beggars can't be choosers," criticizing someone in a needy position who is still being picky.

  • Đừng có ăn mày đòi xôi gấc như thế. (Don't be a beggar demanding special treats like that.)

• Ăn mày cửa Phật: Literally "to beg at the temple door." It refers to the act of seeking help or alms from a benevolent or powerful source.

  • Công ty sắp phá sản, giờ chỉ còn nước ăn mày cửa Phật các ngân hàng. (The company is about to go bankrupt; now the only way is to beg for help from the banks.)

verb

1. To beg (for a living, for aid..)

noun

1. Beggar
   • ăn mày đòi xôi gấc
     beggars must not be choosers