Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To stay temporarily; to lodge provisionally: To live or reside at a place for a short, indefinite period, typically without a formal or permanent arrangement. It implies a provisional stay, often at a friend's or relative's home.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Tôi sẽ ở đậu nhà bạn một tuần cho đến khi tìm được phòng. (I will stay temporarily at your house for a week until I find a room.)
  • Họ về quê và ở đậu tại nhà người dì. (They returned to their hometown and lodged provisionally at their aunt's house.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase inherently carries a sense of informality and temporariness. It is often used in contexts where the stay is based on personal connections (like friendship or family) rather than a commercial agreement (like a hotel or rental contract).

Variants and Related Words

• Ở tạm (verb phrase): to stay temporarily. A close synonym with a very similar meaning and usage.
  • Chúng tôi ở tạm trong khách sạn nhỏ. (We stayed temporarily in a small hotel.)
• Trọ lại (verb): to lodge, to put up. Can imply a slightly more formal or paid temporary stay.
  • Anh ấy trọ lại nhà khách của công ty. (He lodged at the company's guest house.)

Synonyms

• Lodge provisionally: To stay somewhere on a temporary basis.
• Put up: To be accommodated temporarily.
• Stay temporarily: To reside for a short, non-permanent period.

Related Idioms

• Ở nhờ: to stay relying on someone's hospitality. This idiom emphasizes dependence on the host's goodwill and is very closely related to "ở đậu."
  • Sau trận hỏa hoạn, gia đình họ phải đi ở nhờ. (After the fire, their family had to go and stay relying on others' hospitality.)

1. Put up provisionally at a friend's