Lăn lóc đá

Definition

Idiom: - To roll around with stones: A Vietnamese idiom describing a state of extreme hardship, destitution, and struggle, often as a consequence of one's own reckless actions or moral failings. It evokes the image of a person lying on the ground, rolling among scattered stones, symbolizing a rock-bottom existence devoid of comfort or dignity. It implies a fall from grace, severe poverty, and a life of suffering.

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Sau khi phá sản, anh ta phải sống cảnh lăn lóc đá. (After going bankrupt, he had to live a life of rolling around with stones.)
  • Cổ tích thường kể về những kẻ ham chơi cuối cùng phải lăn lóc đá. (Folk tales often tell of pleasure-seekers who end up rolling around with stones.)

Advanced Usage

• The idiom is deeply rooted in a specific Vietnamese folk narrative (as referenced). Its full understanding often relies on knowing the story of a wealthy man who squandered his fortune on debauchery, was tricked into believing he was with beautiful women, and woke up to find himself alone on a rocky mountain, having only been "rolling around with stones." Thus, it carries connotations of delusion, profound loss, and harsh disillusionment.

Variants and Related Words

• Lăn lộn (v): to struggle, to strive through difficulties. This is a more general term for hardship without the specific moral and destitute connotations of the idiom.
  • Anh ấy đã lăn lộn nhiều năm để xây dựng sự nghiệp. (He struggled for many years to build his career.)

Synonyms

• To be destitute: to be extremely poor.
• To hit rock bottom: to reach the lowest possible point in one's fortunes.
• To live in utter misery: to experience great suffering.

Related Idioms

• Trắng tay: to lose everything, to be left with empty hands.

  • Cơn bão làm ngư dân trắng tay. (The storm left the fishermen with nothing.)

• Khuynh gia bại sản: to bankrupt one's family, to lose the family fortune.

  • Cửa bạc đã khiến hắn khuynh gia bại sản. (The gambling den caused him to lose his family fortune.)