Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To seek wealth, to wish for riches: The primary meaning refers to the act of desiring, praying for, or actively pursuing material wealth and financial prosperity. It often implies a hope or request directed towards spiritual or supernatural forces.
   • To be money-seeking, to be avaricious: Can describe a characteristic of being overly focused on acquiring money.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Người đó đi chùa cầu tài cầu lộc. (That person goes to the temple to seek wealth and fortune.)
  • Anh ta chỉ biết cầu tài mà quên đi đạo đức. (He only knows how to seek wealth and forgets about morality.)
  • Cái cười cầu tài (A flattering / ingratiating smile [literally: a smile that seeks wealth])

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in a critical or observational context to comment on someone's materialistic desires or actions.
• It is commonly paired with "cầu lộc" (to seek prosperity/position) in the fixed phrase "cầu tài cầu lộc", forming a complete concept of seeking both wealth and high status.

Variants and Related Words

• Cầu lộc (verb phrase): To seek prosperity, official position, or good fortune.
• Cầu may (verb phrase): To try one's luck, to seek good luck.
• Tham tài (verb): To be greedy for wealth.

Synonyms

• Mưu cầu lợi ích: To scheme for profit/benefit.
• Theo đuổi sự giàu có: To pursue riches.

Related Idioms

• "Cầu tài cầu lộc": A very common idiom meaning to seek wealth and high position, often used in the context of visiting temples or performing rituals at the beginning of the Lunar New Year.
  • Đầu năm mọi người thường đi lễ chùa cầu tài cầu lộc. (At the beginning of the year, people often go to pagodas to pray for wealth and prosperity.)

1. To seek wealth
   • cái cười cầu tài
     a flattering smile