Definition

Adjective Phrase: - Idle / Doing nothing: Describes a state of inactivity, where a person is sitting without any work, task, or purpose. It implies a waste of time. - Unemployed / At leisure: Can refer to being without a job or having free time with no specific engagements.

Usage Examples

• Adjective Phrase:
  • Cả ngày anh ta chỉ ngồi rồi, không chịu tìm việc. (He just idles all day, refusing to look for a job.)
  • Máy hỏng, công nhân phải ngồi rồi chờ sửa. (The machine broke down, so the workers had to sit idle waiting for repairs.)
  • Nghỉ hè, bọn trẻ thường ngồi rồi xem TV cả ngày. (During summer break, the kids often sit around doing nothing but watching TV all day.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a negative connotation, criticizing laziness or unproductivity. It is not typically used to describe positive relaxation.
• It can be used in a comparative or progressive sense to emphasize ongoing idleness.
  • Cứ ngồi rồi mãi thế thì chẳng được việc gì. (If you keep being idle like this, you won't accomplish anything.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ăn không ngồi rồi (Idiomatic phrase): To live in idleness; to be a freeloader or loafer. This is a stronger, more critical term.
  • Anh ta chẳng làm gì, chỉ ăn không ngồi rồi thôi. (He doesn't do anything, he just lives in idleness.)

Synonyms

• Idle: To spend time doing nothing.
• Inactive: Not engaging in any activity.
• Unoccupied: Having nothing to do.

Related Idioms

• Ngồi chơi xơi nước: To sit around enjoying oneself (often at someone else's expense). This shares the theme of idleness but can have a lighter, more social connotation.
  • Khách đến nhà chỉ ngồi chơi xơi nước. (The guests just come over to sit around and chat.)

1. Idle away one's time, twiddle one's thumbs