Definition

1. Intransitive Verb:
   • To sleep over at someone else's place in an impromptu or unplanned manner: The primary meaning refers to the act of spending the night, often unexpectedly or without prior formal arrangement, at a house that is not one's own. It implies a lack of a fixed or regular sleeping place for that night.
   • To put up indiscriminately at others' houses: This usage emphasizes the casual, sometimes inappropriate or uninvited nature of staying overnight at another person's home.

Usage Examples

• Intransitive Verb:
  • Tối qua anh ấy say quá nên phải ngủ lang ở nhà bạn. (Last night he was too drunk, so he had to sleep over at a friend's house.)
  • Hồi còn sinh viên, tôi hay ngủ lang nhà đứa bạn cùng lớp. (When I was a student, I often slept over at my classmate's house.)
  • Không nên ngủ lang ở nhà người lạ. (You shouldn't put up for the night at a stranger's house.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a nuance of informality and sometimes slight disapproval, suggesting the stay is not part of a proper invitation or hospitality arrangement. It is not typically used for formal visits or pre-arranged sleepovers.
• It can describe a temporary state of not having a stable place to sleep, almost verging on being homeless for a night.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngủ nhờ (Intransitive Verb): To sleep over at someone's place (asking for temporary shelter). This is a more neutral and common term than "ngủ lang," which can sound more careless.
  • Tôi xin ngủ nhờ một đêm được không? (May I ask to stay the night?)
• Ngủ bậy (Intransitive Verb): To sleep somewhere improperly or in an unsuitable place. This is stronger and more negative than "ngủ lang."
• Découcher (French): To sleep away from home. This is the direct translation provided in the Vietnamese-French reference.

Synonyms

• Ngủ đậu: To lodge/sleep temporarily (similar to "ngủ nhờ").
• Nghỉ đêm: To stay the night (more formal and neutral).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As "ngủ lang" is a compound verb in Vietnamese, it does not have separable phrasal verb forms like in English. The concept is expressed through the single term.

Related Idioms

• Ăn nhờ ở đậu: To rely on others for food and shelter. This idiom describes a state of dependency and temporary living arrangements, which is related to the concept of "ngủ lang."
  • Anh ta đang phải sống cảnh ăn nhờ ở đậu. (He is living a life dependent on others for room and board.)

1. Put up indiscriminately at others' houses