Definition

1. Noun:
   • Charity porridge / Free porridge: Refers to a simple, free meal of rice porridge (cháo) given to the poor or needy as an act of almsgiving or charity. It represents basic, charitable sustenance.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Các tình nguyện viên nấu cháo thí cho người vô gia cư. (Volunteers cook charity porridge for the homeless.)
  • Hội từ thiện tổ chức phát cháo thí mỗi sáng Chủ nhật. (The charity organization distributes free porridge every Sunday morning.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is historically and culturally specific, often associated with Buddhist temples, charitable groups, or community efforts to provide for the destitute. It implies a humble, compassionate act.

Variants and Related Words

• Phát cháo thí (v): to distribute charity porridge.
  • Họ phát cháo thí ở khu chợ cũ. (They distribute charity porridge at the old market.)

Synonyms

• Charity food: Food given as alms.
• Alms porridge: A direct translation emphasizing the charitable act.

Related Idioms

• While not a common idiom itself, the concept is embedded in expressions about charity, such as "lòng từ thiện" (charitable heart) or "cơm cháo từ thiện" (charity rice and porridge).