The Vietnamese word "phung phá" means to spend money extravagantly or to waste it in a careless manner. It describes a behavior where someone spends money without thinking about the consequences, often on unnecessary or luxurious things.
Casual: "Anh ấy phung phá rất nhiều tiền vào những món đồ xa xỉ."
(He spends a lot of money on luxurious items.)
Formal: "Việc phung phá tài sản công là điều không thể chấp nhận."
(Wasting public resources is unacceptable.)
In a more advanced context, "phung phá" can also refer to squandering not just money, but also resources or opportunities. For instance, you might say someone "phung phá thời gian" (squanders time) when they waste time without being productive.
While "phung phá" primarily refers to spending money extravagantly, the idea of wastefulness can extend to other areas of life, such as time or resources. It carries a negative connotation, indicating irresponsibility.