Definition

1. Verb:
   • To depend on (with a negative connotation): To rely excessively and often irresponsibly on another person for support, sustenance, or solutions, instead of being self-reliant. It implies a lack of effort or initiative.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta không lo làm ăn chỉ biết sống dựa dẫm vào chị. (He did not try to earn his own living and depended only on his sister.)
  • Cậu ấy đã lớn rồi, không nên dựa dẫm vào bố mẹ mãi. (He is grown up now and should not keep depending on his parents forever.)
  • Tinh thần dựa dẫm sẽ cản trở sự phát triển cá nhân. (A dependent mentality will hinder personal development.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "dựa dẫm" almost always carries a critical or disapproving tone. It describes an unhealthy, passive, and often prolonged state of reliance.
• It can be used to critique not only individuals but also attitudes, systems, or groups that exhibit a lack of autonomy.

Variants and Related Words

• Ỷ lại (v): To lean on, to depend on. Very close in meaning to "dựa dẫm," also with a negative connotation.

  • Đừng có thái độ ỷ lại. (Don't have a dependent attitude.)

• Dựa vào (v): To rely on, to base on. This is a more neutral term and can be used in positive or factual contexts without the negative judgment.

  • Chúng tôi dựa vào số liệu chính xác. (We rely on accurate data.)

Synonyms

• To be dependent on: To need someone or something for support.
• To lean on: To depend on for help or encouragement (can be neutral or negative based on context).
• To sponge off (someone): (Informal, strongly negative) To obtain money, food, etc., from someone without giving anything in return.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Ăn bám và dựa dẫm: To live off and depend on someone. This phrase intensifies the criticism.
  • Nó chẳng làm gì, chỉ biết ăn bám và dựa dẫm gia đình. (He doesn't do anything, he just lives off and depends on his family.)

1. Depend on (hàm ý chê)
   • Không lo làm ăn chì biết sống dựa dẫm vào chị
     He did not try to earn his own living and depended only on his sister