Definition

Adjective: - Promiscuous: Describes a state of engaging in sexual relationships with multiple partners, often casually and without commitment. This term carries a strong negative moral judgment. - (Archaic) Numerous and disparate / of mixed variety: An older, literary usage describing a group of things or people that are many in number and of varied, mixed kinds.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Promiscuous):
  • Sống ở chạ bị xã hội lên án. (Living promiscuously is condemned by society.)
• Adjective (Archaic, numerous):
  • Trong thơ cổ, đôi khi thấy hình ảnh "phượng chạ loan chung". (In ancient poetry, one sometimes encounters the image of "mixed phoenixes and loan birds.")

Advanced Usage

• "ở chạ": This is a fixed phrase meaning "to live together promiscuously" or "to live in a state of promiscuity." It specifically denotes cohabitation or a lifestyle characterized by promiscuous relationships.
  • Họ bị gia đình phản đối vì quyết định ở chạ. (Their family opposed them because of their decision to live together promiscuously.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chung chạ (verb/adjective): To share promiscuously; to be common or indiscriminate. This is a more commonly used variant in modern Vietnamese.
  • Không nên chung chạ bàn chải đánh răng. (You shouldn't share toothbrushes indiscriminately.)

Synonyms

• Promiscuous: Indiscriminate in sexual relations.
• Licentious: Lacking legal or moral restraints, especially in sexual conduct.
• Disparate: Essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.

Notes on Usage

• The primary modern meaning of "chạ" as "promiscuous" is considered derogatory and judgmental.
• The archaic meaning ("numerous and disparate") is now rare and found primarily in classical literature. The modern term for "numerous and mixed" is more likely "lẫn lộn" or "hỗn tạp."
• The word is almost never used alone in contemporary speech. Its primary survival is in the fixed phrase "ở chạ."

adj

1. Promiscuous
   • ở chạ
     to live promiscuously, to live in promiscuity